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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 theNew 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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