Why NRL superstar Reece Walsh is no certainty to play in Las Vegas next month - after his previous r

NRL superstar Reece Walsh faces a nervous wait as to whether he will be granted a visa to enter the US ahead of the double header in Las Vegas on March 3 following his previous arrest on the Gold Coast.

Broncos young gun Walsh, 21, and 11 other NRL players have reportedly been summoned to appear at the US Embassy in Sydney for formal interviews.

The ‘Vegas Dozen’ will sit down with an American immigration official and discuss historical off-field transgressions that resulted in police arrests or charges.

In September of 2021, Walsh was charged with one count of possessing cocaine after earlier disobeying a police officer’s order to move on from a party spot at Surfers Paradise.

He later escaped a conviction, was placed on a good behaviour bond and fined $400.

NRL superstar Reece Walsh faces a nervous wait as to whether he will be granted a visa to enter the US ahead of the double header in Las Vegas on March 3 

In September of 2021, Walsh was charged with one count of possessing cocaine after earlier disobeying a police officer’s order to move on from a party spot at Surfers Paradise

Rabbitohs duo Jack Wighton and Latrell Mitchell may also need to front the US consulate in Sydney and offer an explanation as they were arrested in the ACT in February last year

The Broncos fullback is taking no chances, reportedly hiring his own visa expert who will also attend the US Embassy with him.

It is also understood Rabbitohs duo Jack Wighton and Latrell Mitchell are part of the ‘Vegas Dozen.’

The distant cousins were arrested outside a Canberra nightclub in February last year – only for the charges to be later dropped last November.

However, the pair may still need to front the US consulate and offer an explanation as to why they were arrested.

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys expects the dozen NRL players to successfully obtain their visas. 

‘I don’t think there will be any problems,’ he said.

‘If you haven’t got any criminal record, it’s a five-minute process, but if you have been charged and been convicted, you have to go through an interview process.

‘Precedents have shown us that (athletes involved in) such incidents are provided with visas, so we have to go through the process.’

The start of the NRL season in Las Vegas on March 3 sees the Rabbitohs tackle the Sea Eagles (1.30pm, AEDT) before the Broncos take on the Roosters (3.30pm, AEDT) at Allegiant Stadium.

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