Now this is how you party in Vegas. Canberra Raiders star stuns girlfriend with iconic proposal just before his teammates were kicked out of hotel for drunken brawl
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Canberra Raiders star Xavier Savage has announced his engagement to long-time partner Taliah Simbolon following a surprise proposal in Las Vegas.
The heartwarming moment came just hours before his Raiders teammates Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies landed in hot water for a drunken brawl that saw them ejected from their hotel.
The 22-year-old winger popped the question in front of the iconic Bellagio Hotel and Casino fountain, just days before the Raiders' NRL season opener in the United States.
Savage set up the moment with the help of teammate Sam Gibson, who he asked to take a photo under the pretense of capturing images for the NRL. As the camera rolled, he got down on one knee and proposed.
'Writing the next chapter in our love story,' the couple wrote in a joint Instagram post, sharing four photos of the special moment.
Simbolon later admitted she was caught off-guard, initially believing she was simply posing for team photos.
Xavier Savage gets down on one knee in front of the Bellagio fountain, leaving Taliah Simbolon completely stunned
Fresh off a breakout season, Savage secures a long-term future with both the Raiders and his fiancée
The couple were congratulated by a host of NRL stars after announcing their engagement on social media
'Oh yay free pics,' she thought at the time. Upon realising what was happening, she wrote: 'How did I fall for that?'
The announcement was met with an outpouring of support from friends, family, and the rugby league community.
'Proud of you my son,' teammate Jamal Fogarty commented.
'Congrats you two,' Matthew Timoko added.
'Yes fam,' veteran prop Josh Papalii said.
'Hecticcc! Congratulations fam,' Cronulla Sharks star Nicho Hynes commented.
Former Raiders player Jack Wighton also congratulated the couple, while the Canberra Raiders shared their own message: 'Congratulations @xaviersavage__ and Taliah.'
Simbolon later reflected on the moment in her Instagram stories, thanking supporters for their kind words.
Savage debuted for the Raiders in 2021 and has since played 47 matches, scoring 24 tries
The Raiders are in Las Vegas as part of the NRL's 2025 season opener and will play the New Zealand Warriors
'Left Aus as a girlfriend. Coming back as a fiancée,' she wrote.
Savage, originally from Cairns, debuted for the Raiders in 2021 and has since played 47 matches, scoring 24 tries.
His breakout 2024 season saw him cross the line 15 times in 24 games. In December, he signed a contract extension, securing his place with the Raiders until the end of 2027.
The Raiders are in Las Vegas as part of the NRL's 2025 season opener, with the New Zealand Warriors, Penrith Panthers, and Cronulla Sharks also making the trip for the historic event.
The players were accompanied by family and loved ones, providing Savage with the perfect opportunity to propose.
However, the team's time in Las Vegas took a turn when Raiders players Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies were involved in a late-night altercation at their hotel.
The club confirmed the players were sanctioned over the incident, which stemmed from a room booking mix-up.
The scuffle, which reportedly took place in an elevator and involved an inflatable baseball bat, escalated when one of the players accidentally pressed the emergency button, alerting hotel security.
Security personnel initially removed Young and Smithies from the hotel but later allowed them to return.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart addressed the situation, stating the players' actions were unacceptable.
Despite the incident, both Young and Smithies are expected to be named in the Raiders' line-up for their Round 1 clash against the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday AEST.
Daily Mail
