From Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
If Peter V’landys wanted a party, that’s certainly what he got in arguably the party capital of the world.
Ever since the gates opened around two hours before kick-off there was no shortage of sounds, music, light shows, fun food and drink as the crowd slowly built before kick-off.
There was a DJ at one end of the ground rocking out the classics from ACDC to even Elvis Presley throughout the evening.
The indoor stadium, home of the NFL’s Raiders, not only provided the stage for one of Australia’s biggest sporting codes to showcase itself, but it was also a refuge from the atrocious wind that would have had many fans at a regular season game back home in Australia doubting whether they would even leave the couch.
The wind was reminiscent of a 1990s game in Wollongong, where balls were travelling backwards, which would have almost eliminated the effect of the high ball from Daly Cherry-Evans or Adam Reynolds.
Gusts reached a peak of nearly 100km/h across parts of the city, and any ball above shoulder height would easily have ended up crossing the state border en route to New York.
The American National Anthem performed before the NRL Doubleheader in Las Vegas – March 3, 2024.
Inside it was all about one thing – and it was clear that it was a rugby league event. Jerseys from right across the NRL made up most bays in the stadium; even fans not in the contest.
Parramatta fans were shaking hands with Bulldogs enemies, and Rabbitohs supporters were having a beer and a yarn with Manly-clad spectators – supposedly bitter enemies in the opening game of the double-header.
There was even a Wests Tigers supporter spotted on his feet clapping every line break and big hit, even though he had no personal interest in the score, except for his overall love of the game. It was like an Origin, but instead of having two colours, it was a rugby league kaleidoscope.
For the nostalgic fans, North Sydney was represented, along with one jersey from the old City Origin days. Many even made the trip over from England with Super League logos among the mix.
Foundation club South Sydney also had the honour of being the first out on US soil, with the famous Glory, Glory to South Sydney tune introducing the players to the crowd.
South Sydney and Manly supporters watching the Doubleheader in Las Vegas – March 3, 2024.
Then you had the vocal atmosphere of an NRL match – the crowd yelling their opposition at the ref “get him onside”, “what was that for” – and unfortunately for Sea Eagles fans, they received the loudest boos of the opening game. So, another country, but league fans didn’t seem more welcoming. However, Manly had the last laugh on the scoreboard.
It wasn’t long before the NRL had something to show the Americans; the opening set had plenty of big hits, fast gameplay, and later in the half, Jason Saab broke the game open with two line-breaks that had everyone on their feet.
There were plenty of light shows and entertainment that would compare to a blockbuster NBA or NFL game, giving the Aussies a taste of the American sporting stage (it wouldn’t be possible to get this atmosphere at Brookvale or Kogarah) – even if the fog from the fireworks lingered into the game.
One disappointment was the national anthems, which were performed half an hour before the teams ran out onto the field, rather than having the teams lined up, as they would in a finals game or State of Origin – and before many fans found their seats.
Fans preparing to watch the NRL Doubleheader in Las Vegas – March 3, 2024.
However, the big question that was not clearly evident from the ground was whether this festive show of rugby league actually penetrated the American audience.
I mean, there was definitely some interest, a few stadium ushers who did get a chance to observe some of the action in between showing spectators to their seats asked what the loud horn signalling a ruck infringement was, why passes couldn’t be thrown forward, and how long the halves went for (but who knows if it’s just so he knew when he could sit down again).
A few more explainers on the big screen would have been nice, especially for those inside the stadium watching what was a brand-new game to them.
If speed was a point of difference in selling the sport to a new market, it was a case of blink and you miss it as the games changed over almost seamlessly and the Broncos and Roosters took to the field.
Manly captain, DCE himself was distracted at the press conference trying to keep up with the second game, and the elevator operator at the stadium was left questioning if it was indeed a second game – or a continuation of the first.
At 8.30 pm local time, and after 80 minutes of one game, it seemed no one at the stadium had lost any energy – or at least nonetheless lost their voices. Wherever you were sitting in the stadium, you were drawn in by the crowd atmosphere alone.
Even if it was sloppy at times, thanks to the off-season rust, all the teams competing in the doubleheader wanted to entertain.
On a field designed for the NFL, there were a few fitting cross-code moments as the Broncos thought they were playing the American game with shoves across the sideline – fans didn’t need to be a rugby league technician to get excited or voice frustration at the calls.
Nor when James Tedesco fearlessly came flying through after the short drop-out and collided heavily with Ezra Mam, the gasps from the crowd summed up how tough you have to be to play this sport. What would a game be without players trying to ‘bring back the biff’?
Even if many in the crowd will be kicking on in Las Vegas on a Saturday night, they had the perfect warm-up with the DJ’s playlist featuring the likes of Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer, Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline and Daryl Braithwaite’s Horses, showing no one had tired by well after halftime in the second game.
But it was only the entree as Brisbane kicked into gear and threatened a comeback with exciting passages of play in the second half – you could sense that a close game is what everyone wanted to see!
This was the atmosphere the NRL dreamed of, if nothing else, there was definitely a bang for your buck coming to ‘the footy’ in Las Vegas.
There’s also definitely a bit of curiosity among a small number of Americans here in Las Vegas about what the game is and how it works – but most of the noise, most of the show, most of the celebration up until this point has been Aussie-driven.
That’s how anything has to start, I guess, but ensuring that more locals come to the party in future years is going to be key to the growth of the NRL in this country.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
The only vocalist who did it justice was Julie Anthony
Good Grief
Roar Rookie
How often is it really done well. I attended the centenary NRL test match in Sydney, the pre game activities dragooned champion rugby league players of yesteryear into a extended advertisement for the Hilux TRD that cheapened what was meant to be a historic moment of celebration. It was soooo badly done it was embarrassing. I get their intention for the Vegas plan, i guess they took advice on adding the US anthem to the mix. Glad I missed it.
Peter
Roar Rookie
That’s a fair point Big Gordon. I can only surmise, so for what it is worth I can think of three possible reasons that V’Landy’s pulled the trigger and went to Vegas. One, as I alluded to before, because he is trying to court the gaming industry. Two, he understands Rugby Union’s growth trajectory in the U.S. They have well over 100000 registered players in the country now and are scheduled to host the Mens World cup in 2031 and the Women’s world cup two years after that. Rugby League made a big thing out of the games on the weekend being televised by Fox sports in the US but the USA Rugby Union just inked a deal to televise not one but 18 weeks of their very own professional and national MRL competition on Fox Sports so I think perhaps V’landy’s see’s value in following that tail wind. If he doesn’t he should and finally as mentioned previously and the point is not to be underestimated, he needs to be seen to be growing the game. As with all sports there is constant pressure from stakeholders to grow the game and what better way to APPEAR to be growing the game than showcasing Rugby League in what at first glance would appear to be one of the worlds most lucrative markets but I fear in this instance that the NRL’s eyes are bigger than its stomach.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Everything you've written is an opinion and that's fair enough, but it doesn't answer my question. V'landys and the rest of the Club management etc will know about everything you've written (and probably more), yet they still went ahead with this hugely costly venture which implies they believe this will lead to something substantial for the NRL. Why would they go ahead and do this if they didn't expect returns on their investments, especially given V'landys track record in managing this business to date?
Peter
Roar Rookie
This Vegas thing is window dressing to give the appearance of growing the game outside of the two main eastern seaboard markets of NSW and Qld. Truth of the matter is there is little to no surplus funds at NRL headquarters to finance development programmes that would be an essential follow up to exhibitions of this sort to consolidate whatever slight impact that it may have had. Any cursory knowledge of the U.S sporting landscape will tell you that it is a notoriously hard nut to crack. People could be forgiven for forgetting that the ARL, as it was then called took State of Origin to the States in the 1980’s. Blink and you would have missed it. For years Football and Rugby Union have been trying to break into the US Sporting landscape. Both with vastly greater resources and presence in the States than Rugby League has or is ever likely to have. That’s what I know. Rugby League is sucking at the teat of the Gambling Industry and the regulators in Australia are coming after them and they are looking at squeezing more gambling dollars before the curtain is drawn across that revenue stream as well. That too I know. Talk about a last gasp act of desperation.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
True, but I didn’t have an issue with it, except it was a horrible rendition
KenW
Roar Rookie
There is no professional sport in Australia that has a true national competition, so the NRL is in good company I suppose.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Well, everyone's having a ball either way.
matth
Roar Guru
Yep the NRL is an east coast competition, plus Auckland, NZ
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
Oh for sure, if those are the measures of success, I think it will be a case of tracking the progress over a few years. I heard that the games were shown kive on tv in the US. No doubt the NRL forked out a lot of money to do that. Probably they can't afford to do that all the time, but I wonder if it's worth paying for other games to be shown on tv there. Just a few more to build interest while giving a plug for the app.
Good Grief
Roar Rookie
The US national anthem before a club game between Souths and Manly… righto. I expect that’s a first.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
There's no doubt those who are invested in rugby league enjoyed the matches, including supporters, people who travalled, the players, Clubs, etc, but there's no way this night of footy made money, advanced the code, etc - yet. It would be useful for the NRL to clearly spell out what sorts of measures they're using to gauge the success of this concept, both short and long term. This would allow those with an opinion to pass judgement against some measureable outcomes, rather making up opinions based on personal bias.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
"Are you suggesting the author is related to PVL?" I think that would be classed as NRL incest, Ken. :stoked:
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
"Surely, the NRL are not so naive as to think it is going to translate into any real long term growth for the game." Why not? What do you know that Peter V'landys and th rest of the staff at the NRL, the Clubs, etc do not?
LeftRight
Roar Rookie
It was all about gambling money. NRL doesn't even have a national competition in Australia. Pretending to be expanding into the USA is just nonsense.
Peter
Roar Rookie
I'm glad you qualified your comment by referencing or confining your point to Rugby in Australia. To compare the two codes growth trajectory globally would just be embarrassing and frankly a bit like comparing apples and oranges. :stoked: Cheers, Hope you enjoyed the game.
Dionysus
Roar Rookie
I certainly applaud V'landys efforts and the way they went about it and I wasn't expecting too much initially but contrary to what the Australian media are saying, I don't think there were many Americans in the stadium. As stated elsewhere, the big test will be the tv numbers, but its year 1, no doubt lessons will have been learned.
KenW
Roar Rookie
I'm getting that you're another RU follower trying to find something interesting to comment on, and of course ending up somewhere other than a RU tab. But unlike most of the other similar comments on these threads I'm looking sideways at my screen trying to understand what you're attempting to convey. You even edited it, and it still looks like that. Are you suggesting the author is related to PVL?
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
This article felt like a romantic novel, until I realised this was all just legal incest.
Paulie
Roar Rookie
Dionysus i would say 95% of the crowd were Aussies kiwis and a few poms the Americans don't care much for rugby...what happened to the nfl superstars that was suppose to turn up went quiet on that one...