Canberra star Xavier Savage turns down Vegas wedding after epic Sin City proposal
Xavier Savage has ruled out a last-minute marriage in Las Vegas after surprising his Canberra teammates by proposing in the wedding capital of the world.
The Raiders winger popped the question to girlfriend Taliah Simbolon in front of the famous water fountains at the Bellagio on the weekend, ahead of the NRL’s annual fixtures in Sin City.
Savage was “very nervous” juggling the proposal with preparations for the Raiders’ clash against the Warriors at Allegiant Stadium.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I got that out of the way pretty early so I could focus on the footy as well this weekend,” said the 22-year-old romantic.
“We’ll embrace that more with my partner, my fiancée now, when we get back to Australia.
“She was pretty angry about it that she didn’t have any idea (the proposal was coming). Normally she’s on top of things like that and can read me, but that was the best part about it.”
The Las Vegas budget options and relatively limited paperwork help make it the wedding destination of choice for more than 100,000 couples each year.
Ben Affleck, Pamela Anderson and Britney Spears are among those to have married in Sin City, but Savage won’t become the newest famous face to tie the knot there.
“No, I’ll do a nice big wedding with all my family members (in Australia),” he said.
Only family members were aware Savage’s proposal was coming, but the young winger impressed his Raiders teammates once they found out.
“He’s done it right, doing it in Vegas,” said centre Matt Timoko. “I’m really happy for him.”
The Raiders missed finals last year and enter the new season without the experience of former captain Elliott Whitehead and fullback Jordan Rapana, now contracted at Super League clubs.
Questions remain as to how the Raiders’ young spine will gel in 2025. Rookie Owen Pattie is a chance to become long-term hooker, while Ethan Sanders and Ethan Strange are both vying for time next to Jamal Fogarty in the halves.
It won’t worry the Raiders if the outside world is sceptical of their premiership credentials.
“I’ve read things where we were going to come last the last couple of years,” Timoko said.
“For us it’s just a little bit of outside noise, it does fuel the fire a little bit. But we know what kind of team we are when we put it on.”
Originally published on 7NEWS Sport
