By Michael Chammas and Adrian Proszenko
The NRL’s push for new fans in the United States didn’t get off to the best start, with thousands of viewers missing kick-off due to overtime in a college basketball game.
The NRL struck a deal with News Corp powerbrokers to have the historic double-header shown on Fox Sports 1, the main channel of the American sports broadcaster.
Unfortunately, the first moments of rugby league in America were not on Fox Sports 1, with the broadcaster staying with the college basketball game between Georgetown Hoyas and Xavier Musketeers.
Instead, the NRL was moved to the network’s secondary channel. The game was finally moved to the main channel 17 minutes into the contest between South Sydney and Manly, just in time to see Lachlan Ilias’ ankle-tap on a runaway Jason Saab.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys, though, was not fussed. “All part of the strategy to get people to subscribe to Watch NRL,” he joked.
News Corp Lachlan Murdoch was spotted in the NRL VIP suite just before kick off. V’landys may need to have a word. NRL CEO Andrew Abdo saw the positive side of it, a potential ratings boost with so many basketball fans tuning in for the game.
Tom Trbojevic in action in Las Vegas.Credit: Getty
Jackman a no-show in Las Vegas
The NRL’s Las Vegas venture was robbed of serious star power after Hugh Jackman pulled out of the game at the last minute due to personal reasons.
Jackman, a diehard Manly fan, was scheduled to be one of the VIPs afforded star treatment at Allegiant Stadium. However, officials said the Hollywood hunk had to pull out immediately due to “unforeseen” circumstances. The Sea Eagles had been hopeful Jackman would also be available for a pre-game function.
Jackman had been in town on Friday night (US time), but was forced to fly back to New York City immediately.
The NRL confirmed he could not attend the match. He was invited to the match by head office but paid for his own way into Las Vegas.
Fellow movie star Russell Crowe wasn’t at the game due to filming commitments but lent his heavyweight support in the lead-up. The South Sydney co-owner voiced an advertisement for the American market, as well as a guide for uninitiated fans.
Speaking to this masthead last year, Jackman supported the Vegas venture when it was first mooted.
Sea Eagles fan Hugh Jackman talks to Manly coach Des Hasler in 2011.Credit: Dallas Kilponen
“Bring it on!” Jackman said. “Would love for it to happen. They would love the great game of rugby league here in the US I’m sure.“
The Las Vegas Raider
The Canberra Raiders were set to sign an American female player who tried out at the NRL Combine in Las Vegas on the morning of the game.
Canberra chief executive Don Furner was one of four club bosses who decided to attend the event that featured 25 male and 25 female athletes showcasing their skill in pursuit of a rugby league contract.
Furner sent video of Liz Tafuna, an American rugby union and rugby sevens international, to Canberra’s NRLW coach Darrin Borthwick.
Furner was standing alongside Australian Jillaroos coach Brad Donald, who told the Canberra CEO that she wouldn’t be out of place in the NRLW.
“We’ve got a spot for our NRLW team and I’ve sent some video to our NRLW coach,” Furner said. “I was impressed with Liz Tafuna and we’ve told her that we want to keep talking to her. Hopefully we get her.”
Desert storm
Wind gusts of up to 112km/h wreaked havoc on Las Vegas in the run-up to the double-header.
The NRL had to open the doors to Allegiant Stadium 30 minutes early, at 4pm local time, to assist fans trying to get in. Several local outdoor functions were cancelled and there were fears travelling Australian fans may have their flights home delayed.
The match was meant to mark the NRL’s first tailgate party, but the strong winds scuppered those plans.
The wild weather was a blow for the NRL, with sales for walk-up fans taking a hit.
Game’s nod to broadcast partners
The NRL thanked its broadcast partners for their support in turning its American dream into reality by handing Fox Sports and Channel Nine, the publisher of this masthead, the honour of performing the coin toss before the two games.
Fox Sports CEO Patrick Delany flipped the coin before the Rabbitohs-Sea Eagles game, while Nine boss Mike Sneesby was given the honour for the Roosters-Broncos match.
NRL execs given VIP treatment by Vegas cops
The NRL powerbrokers were given a police escort from their hotel at Resorts World to Allegiant Stadium.
NRL chief Andrew Abdo, ARLC boss Peter V’landys and his directors were on board the bus that had a security detail to take them right underneath the stadium. Media executives were also on board.
Adrian Proszenko’s trip to Las Vegas was funded by the NRL.
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