Anthony Seibold has reignited his long-standing feud with South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou, taking aim at the Rabbitohs for failing to do their part to promote the NRL’s opening-round double-header in Las Vegas.
Souths left Sydney for the US on Tuesday, heading to a training camp in San Diego to prepare for their March 3 clash with Manly in Sin City.
The Sea Eagles, by contrast, will spend the entire build-up to the Rabbitohs clash firmly entrenched in Las Vegas.
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As Manly prepared to fly out on Wednesday afternoon, Seibold was quick to point out his club’s commitment to giving the NRL the best possible exposure in the US.
“It would be nice if the Bunnies came and promoted the game in Las Vegas,” Seibold said.
“One of the reasons why we’re going there 11 days beforehand is to promote the game.
“We’re doing our job, all our training sessions are open sessions.”
Seibold’s comments came after Demetriou suggested he would pay for Manly’s bar tab in a bid to disrupt their preparations and improve Souths’ chances of winning the round-one clash.
The latest stoush rekindles a rivalry that goes back to 2019, when the pair publicly clashed over Seibold’s NRL finals record.
Manly are the only club to base themselves in Vegas ahead of the season-opener.
The other two sides involved in the double-header, the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane, have set up camp in Los Angeles.
“Every team has their own way to prepare, but we feel obligated and obliged to promote the game in Las Vegas — where the game is being played,” Seibold said.
“There have been some comments from others, but that’s OK.
“We know what we need to do to minimise those distractions.
“We’ve got a fantastic group of adults in our squad and there’s a lot of trust.
“We want to promote the game and be visible in Vegas.”
Manly will be without back-rower Josh Schuster due to a calf injury, while prop Tof Sipley is suspended.
The loss of the duo will place more pressure on the Sea Eagles’ pack as they aim to outwit the Bunnies at Allegiant Stadium.
At 63 metres wide, the venue boasts a narrower playing surface than the regulation 68m field used in the NRL, and Seibold said clubs would be forced to alter their tactics.
“You want to play really direct,” Seibold said.
“Souths have had an opportunity to train on a small field and so have we.
“Both coaching groups and senior players will have come up with some tactics that might change (for Vegas).”