View from America: NRL wins new fans in Vegas

It wasn’t hard to spot the Americans taking in the NRL’s sojourn to Las Vegas.

They were the ones walking on the right side of the flow of pedestrian traffic, constantly running head on into the tens of thousands of Australians who had made the trip to Sin City and who naturally keep left.

They were also the ones with wide eyes and audible gasps.

Americans are a proud bunch. They love their own sports so much they call their winners “World Champions” even if they are the only country playing. They like to feel like they are the toughest. The strongest. The most athletic.

But they couldn’t help but be enthralled with rugby league. Even if it meant admitting they might have just seen something unique that could rival their most beloved pastimes.

“These guys are incredible. I can’t help but be impressed with the brutality of the hits without pads of helmets, not to mention the speed of the game,” New York Post columnist and long-time NFL reporter Mark Cannizzaro said of his introduction to the sport.

“I think any American sports fan who witnessed this has to have an appreciation to the physicality and athleticism. Obviously, the NFL is king here, but there is no reason why we can’t find room for this sport.”

Speaking of the National Football League, one interested spectator was Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua.

Never in a million years would I have thought rugby league would be here.

Unlucky not to win the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year after breaking reception and yards records last season, Nacua is no stranger to taking hard hits.

But as he chatted with the Roosters players following their 20-10 win over Brisbane, he was full of praise.

“As a football player don’t count me in on ever playing rugby because I don’t want to get hit like that ever,” Nacua said. “What I seen them go through... don’t put me through that.”

Hearing the man my kids and I had cheered on relentlessly at SoFi Stadium at Rams games give adoration to my first sporting love struck a chord for me.

Having spent the first decade or so of my journalism career covering the NRL but the last 15 years of my life living in Los Angeles and covering some huge moments in American sports, I have to admit Saturday night’s event was personally emotional.

As I joined the throng of supporters on the Hacienda Bridge heading from the Las Vegas strip to the stadium I had to stop and take it all in.

Never in a million years would I have thought rugby league would be here.

But here I was, with my parents, my American in-laws, wife and two young sons, soaking in the festival like atmosphere.

Not even the 40mph winds could dampen the spirits of those pouring into the place affectionately known as the “Death Star”.

I overheard two Americans asking the crowd where everyone was going. They had been swept up in the swarm despite just trying to find an Uber back to their hotel following a few rounds at the Blackjack tables.

Some fans in St George Illawarra Dragons jerseys gave them the heads up about the upcoming contests and told them to come along and check it out.

It sounded light-hearted but turned real when they revealed they had spare tickets and incredibly the offer was accepted. I have no idea how their night went but I’d like to hope they had a ball.

Actually, I’m pretty confident they would have because those I did speak with inside certainly did.

Over 40,000 took in the historic double-header and sure, the majority appeared to be well travelled Aussies, but a quick poll of those who live in the USA should give the NRL hope in its quest to crack the American market.

Like the pair who stood at the top of their section seemingly torn whether to go back to their seats or take a much-needed bathroom break.

“This just doesn’t stop. When am I gonna take a leak!” one said of the never-ending action playing out between the Rabbitohs and soon to be victorious Sea Eagles.

“I know man… it’s insane. How do they keep hitting each other like this,” his friend countered.

It turned out Dwayne and John were locals and regulars at Las Vegas Raiders games.

“I can usually use the bathroom and maybe not even miss a play,” Dwayne told me of his usual trips to Allegiant.

“I still love the NFL obviously but I’m going to try to take more notice of the NRL now. It’s in our off-season too which is cool.”

Along with the hits and timeout devoid action, the expansive football shown in the Sea Eagles 36-24 win over the Rabbitohs was exactly what the doctor ordered for fledgling fans.

The noise also rose with every leaping kick reception and special roars followed Reuben Garrick’s 'Gronk Spike', and Reece Walsh’s swan dive. There was plenty for the uninitiated to enjoy.

When Latrell Mitchell threw an intercept to Jason Saab late in the first half of game one Susan from nearby Henderson screamed “Pick 6!” as she jumped to her feet, referencing the NFL term for returning an interception for a score.

She was excited, as prior to the Russell Crowe narrated rules lesson on the big screen before the game, Susan had no real concept of what she was about to witness.

“I don’t know much yet but I do know what an interception is in football and that was a good one,” she said. “If they come back next year I’ll definitely come again and hopefully bring some more friends.”

Chances are Tony will do the same after he’d randomly doubled his money. He’d visited the BetMGM Sportsbook prior to walking over and backed the Sea Eagles for no other reason than they were underdogs.

My father had a similar tale from earlier in the day when striking up a conversation with a young man in a Parramatta jersey in the hotel elevator. Expecting an Australian accent to answer he instead got a thick Chicago accent.

This gentleman had found the NRL during the COVID-19 pandemic, looking for something to bet on while the majority of the sports world was still shut down. He stumbled across the NRL and was hooked.

“He asked me who I supported and I told him the Dragons,” my father said. “Then to my surprise he asked me what I thought of the recent Luciano Leilua signing. He was well versed in what’s going on.”

After Saturday night we could very well have a lot more people like that mid-western man.

And that has to be music to the ears of the NRL.