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.