SEASON LAUNCH: A+
This was the greatest launch event the NRL has ever staged. An estimated crowd of 5000 punters packed the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas on Thursday. You couldn’t turn around without bumping into someone in an NRL jersey. The precinct was heaving, there was rugby league signage everywhere and the vibe was off the charts.
PLAYER BEHAVIOUR – ON-FIELD: TBC
The jury is out following allegations by Brisbane’s Ezra Mam that he was targeted by a racial comment from Roosters recruit Spencer Leniu. The incident was put on report after an allegation Leniu used the term “monkey”. Leniu was referred straight to the judiciary by the NRL on Monday morning and charged with contrary conduct. Asked about it after the game, Leniu said he was not worried by the complaint. When asked what happened, he told Triple M: “Nah nothing. It’s just all fun and games on the field and that’s it.”
PLAYER BEHAVIOUR – OFF-FIELD: A
Given we were in Sin City, the spectre of scandal hung heavy over the venture. To the credit of the players, they were outstanding ambassadors for the code. There was potential for drama when the players blew off steam on Saturday night [US time] after the double-header but Las Vegas’ top cop, Lieutenant Kendall Bell, said their behaviour was exemplary.
The only off-field incident, which was not seen by members of the public, was an argument in a hotel corridor between Leniu and several Broncos players over the alleged on-field racial comment.
CROWD: B
An official crowd of 40,746 was posted for the day’s second match between the Roosters and Broncos. We are giving that a pass mark. About half the fans travelled from overseas (with 14,000 from Australia). The rest were locals sampling league for the first time. There were hopes that a crowd of up to 50,000 would turn up, but freakishly strong winds cruelled walk-up ticket sales.
A supporter celebrates securing a football in the crowd.Credit: Getty
MATCH QUALITY: B+
Given the travel, field size, early-season ring rust and the distractions the players faced in Sin City, the teams put on a spectacle the NRL could be proud of. The opening match had points and tries aplenty, while the second had all the physicality that newly converted Americans are coming to love. All the local fans we vox-popped said they would be back for more next year.
STAR POWER: D
On the day of the game, news broke that Hugh Jackman had to leave town for personal reasons. It resulted in a distinct lack of VIPs in the VIP area. Russell Crowe’s voice-overs were a timely boost, but film commitments prevented the Souths co-owner from attending. There was a sprinkling of Los Angeles Rams stars in attendance, but the overall celeb factor was underwhelming.
LOCAL MEDIA COVERAGE: C+
For the most part, the NRL didn’t really move the needle for the Vegas media.
The Sea Eagles celebrate a try at Allegiant Stadium.Credit: NRL Photos
There wasn’t much reporting in the lead up, although CBS provided some coverage and the New York Post had one of its senior sports reporters devote his entire week to the event. Manly winger Jason Saab did his bit – a great job with spots on breakfast television and a talk show – but these were the exceptions to the rule. New York Post, Fox Sports, Forbes Magazine, Associated Press, Barstool Rugby, Channel 8CBS, Las Vegas Review Journal, Power 98.5 Radio, News 3 Las Vegas NBC, Sports Business Journal and KNTV- ABC 13 Vegas all attended on game day, providing some cause for optimism. Still, it’s an area the NRL can improve on.
LOGISTICS: B
Everything that was meant to happen, happened. Players and fans arrived without incident, everything operated smoothly on game day and Allegiant Stadium provided a quality game-day experience. Strong winds of more than 100km/h resulted in the scheduled tailgate party being cancelled, but no one can be blamed for that.
There were some teething problems, as you would expect given this was the first year of the NRL’s Vegas venture, but all major obstacles were overcome. The clubs were, for the most part, satisfied with an experience that will only get better. The skinnier Allegiant Stadium field wasn’t really an issue.
Adrian Proszenko’s trip to Las Vegas was funded by the NRL.
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