Las Vegas, Nevada | The National Rugby League’s ambitious push into the United States suffered a glitch on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) during the season opener that drew thousands of fans, first-timers and chief executives to Las Vegas for the historic double-header.

News Corp scion Lachlan Murdoch and Nine Entertainment boss Mike Sneesby were among the more than 40,000-strong crowd that packed into Allegiant Stadium to watch the first leg of the NRL’s audacious bid to generate more money for the game.