10-minute Las Vegas madness stuns NRL as Sea Eagles stuns Rabbitohs

Peter V’landys couldn’t have scripted the opening match in Las Vegas any better himself after a mind-blowing contest unfolded.

Souths got off to a blinder in the second half, only for the Sea Eagles to romp past. Photo: Getty Images

Now that’s exactly what the NRL wanted.

The opening game of the Las Vegas double-header delivered in stunning fashion as the Manly Sea Eagles toppled the South Sydney Rabbitohs 36-24 in a high-scoring affair.

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Both sides duked it out in a hard-fought first half with Manly holding the slender 12-10 advantage, but in the space of 10 minutes the contest came alive.

The Souths fired the first shots with two tries in three minutes but the Sea Eagles weren’t about to be undone.

Down 20-12 after 48 minutes, it looked like the Rabbitohs were about to run away with it.

From there, the Sea Eagles hit the lead just seven minutes later, before sealing the result with tries to Reuben Garrick and Luke Brooks to make it 36-20 with three minutes left.

Souths hit back for a consolation try, making it 36-24 at full-time but it was a statement from the Sea Eagles.

“It’s a feast of points to open the 2024 season,” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.

Wow Tommy hits back, with a try to his brother Ben. 24-20 strap yourself in for a final 25 minutes!!
⁦@NRL⁩ #NRLVegaspic.twitter.com/qT3PKQuhhx

— Garry Jack (@jimmyjack244) March 3, 2024

Brooks looked good in Manly colours, having a line break and assisting one, as well as running 18 times for 86m.

Pre-game, the Sea Eagles’ owner Scott Penn said the club wants to “really entrench” themselves in America.

“Obviously, we want to give everyone a fair go, but there needs to be a home team,” he said.

“We’ve put a hand up so we’re happy to be the home team … America’s team. We’d love to be the American Eagles.”

The Sea Eagles soared in Vegas. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

While the Sea Eagles took the points, Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell stamped his authority on the contest in a blistering second half display.

Mitchell had a try assist for Jacob Gagai’s try in the first half, before giving one away in the other direction as he threw an intercept for Jason Saab.

To kick off the second half, Latrell scored, stepping off the right foot to score in three minutes, taking on the line on the fifth tackle.

“The man is in a mood tonight,” Dan Ginnane said.

Braith Anasta added he was “a Colossus” as he did it all himself, “taking the game by the scruff of the neck”.

Ginnane added: “It’s been noted all week that Latrell Mitchell is up and about, he’s a little cocky, he’s at his best. And he has made it his mission tonight.”

Latrell then laid on another try to Alex Johnston minutes later to give the Rabbitohs a 20-12 lead.