LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — Rugby league has been given a giant green tick from American spectators following a thrilling double-header at Allegiant Stadium.
Manly put on a show to down South Sydney 36-24, while the Roosters out-muscled the Broncos to win 20-10.
Over 46,000 spectators attended the history-making evening. Of course majority were Australians, but there were plenty of locals there too.
The interest was evident early when a security guard was spotted having the time of his life behind the in-goal catching Daly Cherry-Evans’ field goal attempts in Manly’s warm-up.
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It also took just 20 minutes into the first game for another security guard to tell foxsports.com.au that NRL is “way better” than the NFL because “it’s faster and they work together not individually.”
Foxsports.com.au interviewed a bunch of American spectators at the stadium following the double-header to get their first impression of the NRL — and all of them are now very much on board the rugby league train.
Vegas locals Ally and Kayla, who had front-row seats, purchased tickets because they have a friend that “loves rugby” and “we wanted to see what it’s all about.”
When asked for her initial thoughts on the games, Ally said: “Oh my god it’s amazing, it’s so exciting. They’re super handsome, they’re super gorgeous — that’s the first reason (why I enjoyed it).”
In comparison to the NFL, Ally said the NRL is “way faster and way more entertaining,” while Kayla said “it’s more natural than American football.”
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As for whether they’d come to another game? Both Ally and Kayla said “oh yeah, for sure.”
Sofia Bella, a content creator from Vegas, saw tickets to the games advertised on social media.
“We’re kind of fans of the sport and it’s the first time they’ve come to our city so we were super excited and wanted to see the sport in person. We knew about it, but we’ve only seen on it TV,” Bella said.
“We were going for the Roosters and earlier we were going for the Sea Eagles.
“We love it. It’s so intense, we love that it’s go, go, go. Compared to American football — we have nothing on them (NRL players).”
Will she watch another game?
“Absolutely. I know they’re coming back next year, so we’ll be here,” Bella declared.
Alex got a last-minute invite to the games and while he “enjoyed it” and “for sure” would come to another game, he struggled with the rules.
“I’m learning as I watch,” he said.
“I’m still confused a little bit about the rules… there’s like a rolling kick that was touched in the end-zone and then there was a catch that happened in the end-zone that didn’t count and I don’t know what happened with that.”
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Louis from Michigan, on the other hand, was very familiar with the rules given he plays rugby union but also knows all about league. But this was his first time seeing the NRL in person.
“I am part of the rugby community so I heard about it and am here to support rugby, it doesn’t matter if it was union or league. I play in my local team, I manage our travel group for the rugby team,” he said.
“It was great. I was surprised by the amount of people that showed up. It was great exposure for rugby in America.”
“It was so fast, a great experience, so entertaining. I thought it was great. Rugby is better (than the NFL) 100 per cent.”
Travelling with Louis was Krista, who is actually a Canadian rugby league player.
“I’ve been playing rugby league since 2017, since they started the Women’s Rugby League World Cup. I’m part of the program. They started in Canada and they’ve been building ever since,” she said.
“We heard that the Rabbitohs game was happening. I already bought tickets and then they decided to have an amateur competition here – I played for the Ontario Ospreys and we won gold!
“It’s amazing (watching the NRL live). I think it’s very translatable to the American audience, the speed, the impact… just running at each other from 20 metres apart.
“I just think it’s really going to catch on. I’m excited about what the future is going to hold for rugby league.”
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Kevin, a Vegas local, heard about the game through a friend that works at Allegiant Stadium. And now he is a massive fan.
“It’s non-stop, I like how it’s just constant. With American football there’s a tonne of commercial breaks, this one you’re watching and it’s just going,” he said.
“These guys are obviously way stronger and way tougher than the guys that wear pads and helmets out here.
“The fans are very dedicated to their teams — it’s pretty awesome to see. It’s awesome hearing someone from another country cheer the way they cheer.
“This is awesome, 1000% I’d come back again.”
Fabio and Elsie heard about the double-header through friends, but also have cousins that play rugby union so were curious about league.
“I thought it was wonderful,” Fabio said.
“The first game was really good. They were competitive, they were going at it, they were really tough with it.
“They made plenty of touchdowns. They were going back and forth so much. We didn’t know who was going to win. It was really good.
“The second game is a little more interesting because the other team had been demolishing them but at the end of the day, the other team came back. It’s really good. I actually enjoyed this game.”
Elsie enjoyed the intensity and is keen to watch more rugby league.
“This is a sport that I do want to learn more about and I am interested to know more.
“It was pretty aggressive but kind of fun to watch. It’s entertaining. I think I’d come back to watch another game.”
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