2024 NRL: Round 1 (Las Vegas) Review

Check out what happened in the round 1 Las Vegas games of the National Rugby League competition.

Final Scores

SEA EAGLES 36 defeated RABBITOHS 24

ROOSTERS 20 defeated BRONCOS 10

Current Ladder

Sea Eagles 2 pts (12), Roosters 2 pts (10), Broncos 0 (-10), Rabbitohs 0 (-12).

Round 1 to be completed on Sunday, March 10.

Review

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Manly Warringah and the Sydney Roosters have created history in Las Vegas, becoming the first teams to win a premiership game outside of Australia/New Zealand.

There was a total of 16 tries and plenty of entertainment and controversy for the 40,000+ crowd to enjoy.

In the opening game, Souths’ Richard Kennar scored the first Vegas try (and another one near full-time), but Manly dominated after half-time, building on a 12-10 lead. Former Wests Tigers veteran Luke Brooks scored the match-winner for Manly in the 76th minute. While it’s only one game, Brooks could thrive at Brookvale without the on- and off-field pressure he had at the Tigers.

The Broncos came into the second game with plenty of hype after their heartbreaking grand final loss. But the Roosters – who made the semi-finals last season after a six-game winning streak – had other ideas.

The Eastern Suburbs club led 8-4 just before half-time when Sam Walker kicked a field goal. But it was disallowed due to illegal blockers. With the NRL cracking down on field goal interference, we could see a lot more of this.

But it didn’t matter: Fetalaiga Pauga scored early in the second half to give the Roosters a 14-4 lead.

Then Reece Walsh showed why he can be one of the most exciting and frustrating players in the game: he scored in the 59th minute to cut the margin to four points, and twelve minutes later he was found out in defence as Victor Radley scored the match-sealing try (and Walsh made the error that gave the Roosters possession).

But the double-header ended on a sour note, when Ezra Mam accused Spencer Leniu of an alledged racial slur. Leniu has been sent straight to the NRL judiciary on a contrary conduct charge.

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While excitement has been high for the first Vegas games, how will the NRL approach the crucial second year (2025)?

• Will there be more lead-up events (like the Vegas 9s and the USA vs Canada Test)?

• Will the same teams return (or new teams qualifying based on ladder positions)?

• Will local fans return once the novelty factor of “the Rugby” wears off; and can the NRL eventually gain a foothold in an American sports market dominated by American football, basketball, baseball, and ice hockey?

Key Stats

• Richard Kennar in scoring the first try in Las Vegas also completed the second time he’s scored the opening try in a NRL fixture. It’s also the first time Kennar has scored the first and last tries in a NRL game.
• Latrell Mitchell moved to 99 career tries, his seventh against the Sea Eagles.
• Jacob Gagai makes his debut at 28 years and 74 days old, scoring a try.
• Reuben Garrick moves within 22 points of reaching 1,000 NRL career points with his 16 point haul, his best return against South Sydney.
• South Sydney Rabbitohs have now lost four of their last five matches in the NRL, with each margin over 10 points (Sharks lost by 10, Knights lost by 19, Roosters lost by 14, Sea Eagles lost by 10).
• Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles have won three straight in the NRL (Bulldogs by 18, Tigers by 42, Rabbitohs by 10).
• Sydney Roosters have now won their last six regular NRL season games (excluding their week 1 finals loss to the Sharks).
• Brisbane’s defeat was their first loss in the opening round since 2021 where they were beaten by the Eels (24-16) at Suncorp Stadium.