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LAS VEGAS, NV–This reporter decided to spend the weekend in Las Vegas to view the quadruple header of rugby league games at Allegiant Stadium as well as the overall experience. The saying goes that rugby league rarely misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity. However, few rugby league fans passed up the opportunity to come to Vegas this past weekend.
Fans represented not just the teams who would be playing, but other teams were represented such as St. Helens, Leigh Leopards, and Widnes Vikings on the English side; and Brisbane Broncos, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sydney Roosters, and Melbourne Storm from Australia among other teams.
A gathering for a fan fest on Fremont Street drew over 10,000 fans and that was one of the first signs that this year’s extravaganza would be bigger than last year’s. On the side, and near the venue where the USA Sevens from the other rugby code took place throughout the 2010s, the USA Hawks took on Greece on Friday in both a men’s and a women’s friendly at Silverbowl Park. They were supposed to also play on Wednesday night, but copper thieves left the park with insufficient lighting and the games were cancelled.
Friday’s matches were played during the day. While the USA women ran out 46-0 winners, their male counterparts, fell 46-10.
One of two USA tries for the men. (Photo: Dan Gaichas)
On to the main event on Saturday, and this reporter quickly realized he would be sitting in the Wigan section. Wigan were well represents in the stands as were their rivals Warrington Wolves. Canberra Raiders, New Zealand Warriors, Penrith Panthers, and Cronulla Sharks also had their share of fans as well.
Wigan look to have shaken off their shock defeat to Leigh at the start of the Super League season by thrashing Warrington. It was 42-0 at one point and Warrington essentially scored four converted tries during an extended garbage time.
Next up was the official start of the NRL season and the Raiders proved superior to the Warriors in a 30-8 win. The highlight of that match was Xavier Savage’s interception near his own goal and ran virtually the length of the pitch for his second try of the evening. It might also be one of the few times a team called the Raiders win this calendar year at Allegiant Stadium!
This reporter saw three blowing during a rugby union weekend at Soldier Field in 2018. Little did I know I would see three on this night. Australia’s Jillaroos staged a slaughter of the innocents in a 90-4 rout of England’s Women. Had they converted all 17 of their tries, Australia would’ve hit the century mark. Indeed, one of the biggest cheers of the night was when England got their try just before the end. It left this reporter pondering who would win a match between the Jillaroos and New Zealand’s Black Ferns. Similar conversation has been made about a dream match between Australia’s Kangaroos and New Zealand’s All Blacks. However, fans in the States will have to settle for the All Blacks to face Ireland in a ‘rematch’ at Soldier Field on November 1st.
Finally, Penrith began its fourth title defense against third place from last year Cronulla. This was the most competitive match of the night. The Sharks put out their credentials as a contender, but the Panthers have Nathan Cleary and he’s the man that makes the Panthers run circles around all that oppose them. They held on for a 28-22 win. It was a grandstand finish to a grand day of rugby league in from of 45,209 fans at Allegiant Stadium–the largest crowd to see rugby league in the USA.
The challenges are these for the NRL going forward. Will this lead to more subscribers on WatchNRL.com? Will this lead to the growth of the sport here in this country? There will be at least three more shows like this in the next three years. Will England’s Super League get a rub from its time in Las Vegas? There is interest from teams of playing in Vegas and it will be interesting to see who comes in the coming years.
Overall, it was a grand show for the sport of rugby league despite three blowouts on the day. It was the fans that made this weekend special and also enhances Las Vegas’s reputation for hosting such grand sporting events. The opportunity now for both England’s Super League and Australia’s NRL is to build on their time here and grow the sport. That’s the gamble and the hope is that the dice do not come up “Snake Eyes”.
