The Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters on Saturday made winning starts as Australia’s National Rugby League launched its season at glitzy Las Vegas in a bold bid to break into the lucrative US market.
Rugby league is hugely popular in Australia and the sport’s bosses have long wanted to grow its presence in the US.
A double-header to start the season was the sport’s first serious foray into the country after signing a five-year deal to play 10 matches at Allegiant Stadium, which hosted the Super Bowl three weeks ago.
Photo: AFP
Manly beat the South Sydney Rabbitohs — co-owned by Hollywood star Russell Crowe — 36-24 to mark the first time competition points were earned outside of Australia and New Zealand.
“It felt like we really had to work hard for that one,” Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans said. “To come here and play in front of this crowd is extremely special and it makes it more special when you get the win.”
The Roosters beat the Brisbane Broncos — who lost last year’s Grand Final to the three-time defending champion Penrith Panthers — 20-10, with a late try from Victor Radley ensuring victory.
The Panthers start their title defense on Friday against Melbourne Storm, in Melbourne.
The US games were the culmination of months of planning and promotion with Australian Rugby League Commission CEO Peter V’landys hoping the fast-paced, hard-hitting nature of the sport will appeal to Americans.
About 40,746 fans were in the 65,000-capacity venue, with many from overseas.
Reports said that at least 14,000 Australians made the trip, with thousands more from other countries, notably England.
While detractors criticized the Vegas experiment as an overhyped gimmick and a needless waste of money, the sport’s bosses saw a big market to exploit.
“We are committed to this for the next five years, and we will not be deterred from our goal of making this sport well known in the USA,” V’landys told the Sydney Morning Herald.
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