Cliff-hanger derby caps Rugby League's return to Las Vegas in pursuit of new American fans

Cliff-hanger derby caps Rugby League's return to Las Vegas in pursuit of new American fans The National Rugby League has taken its Las Vegas showcase back to Allegiant Stadium and drawn close to 50,000 fans By The Associated Press March 1, 2026, 2:23 AM LAS VEGAS -- Rugby league's bid to crack into the U.S. sports market returned to Las Vegas on Saturday with its mission to convert Americans to this rugged brand of football drawing almost 50,000 fans to Allegiant stadium. It's the third consecutive year Australia's National Rugby League has showcased the gritty sport in the entertainment capital. How many locals showed up among the thousands of traveling fans from Australia and England on a day that saw three matches was not immediately clear, but the showcase delivered on the entertainment stakes capped by a cliffhanger between two historic rivals. The NRL has committed until 2028 to play regular season matches in Las Vegas as part of a strategic plan to broaden an international audience for the sport and increase its sports betting revenue by playing Prime Time in the entertainment capital. Australia has been courting the US market since 1987 when it played a State of Origin match between New South Wales and Queensland in Long Beach. A field goal in the second period of ‘golden point’ extra time by Canterbury Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton decided a brutally physical encounter against the St. George-Illawarra Dragons. Tied at 14-14 at the end of regulation and with both teams missing chances in the first period of extra time, Crichton stepped up from 20 meters to nervelessly slot home his kick to give the Bulldogs a dramatic victory. Crichton had earlier played in winger Jacob Kiraz for Canterbury's second try after Jacob Preston had opened the scoring for Canterbury. The Dragons twice leveled the match with a rare try by prop Emre Guler, while Setu Tu scored acrobatically in the corner for a try on his NRL debut. Dragons half Kyle Flanagan kicked a penalty goa...