LAS VEGAS (AP) — 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.
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Newcastle Knights Trey Mooney reacts after scoring a try during the Australia National Rugby League game between Newcastle Knights and the North Queensland Cowboys in Las Vegas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
Newcastle Knights' Bradman Best runs to score try during the Australia National Rugby League game between the Newcastle Knights and the North Queensland Cowboys in Las Vegas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
Dragons Luciano Leilua is tackled by Bulldogs Bailey Hayward, top, during the Australia National Rugby League game between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the St George-Illawarra Dragons in Las Vegas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
Bulldogs Jacob Preston, center, is congratulated by teammates after scoring a try during the Australia National Rugby League game between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the St George-Illawarra Dragons in Las Vegas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
Bulldogs Stephen Crichton, center, is congratulated by teammates after kicking the winning field goal in extra time during the Australia National Rugby League game between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the St George-Illawarra Dragons in Las Vegas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
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 (yards) 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 goal in the final minutes of regulation to tie the game and force extra time.
Earlier, the Newcastle Knights stunned the North Queensland Cowboys 28-18 in the NRL season opener.
The match was in the balance at 22-18 in the last 10 minutes, before Braidon Burns was penalized for a high hit on Knights star Kalyn Ponga and was sent to the sin bin by referee Ashley Klein.
Newcastle, which finished bottom of the NRL standings last season, seized on the extra man advantage with prop forward Trey Mooney barging over to seal the win.
Newcastle raced to a 12-0 lead with tries from Greg Marzhew and Fletcher Sharpe, before the Cowboys rallied after Heilum Luki and Murray Taulagi scored to level at 12-12 at half time.
Bradman Best and Dominic Young scored a quickfire double for the Knights after the break before Taulagi's second try narrowed the deficit.
Maika Sivo scored four tries as the Leeds Rhinos thumped Hull KR 56-8 in the first match at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday featuring two English clubs.
The Rhinos stormed to a 28-0 halftime lead. Converted tries to Brodie Croft, Keenan Palasia, Ryan Hall and a double to Sivo set the tone.
Leeds maintained momentum in the second half with former Parramatta Eel Sivo scoring twice more, while Croft added a second try and Cooper Jenkins crashed over twice.
Hull's only reply came through Joe Burgess, a lone consolation after their World Club Challenge win over the Brisbane Broncos last week.
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Newcastle Knights Trey Mooney reacts after scoring a try during the Australia National Rugby League game between Newcastle Knights and the North Queensland Cowboys in Las Vegas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
Newcastle Knights' Bradman Best runs to score try during the Australia National Rugby League game between the Newcastle Knights and the North Queensland Cowboys in Las Vegas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
Dragons Luciano Leilua is tackled by Bulldogs Bailey Hayward, top, during the Australia National Rugby League game between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the St George-Illawarra Dragons in Las Vegas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
Bulldogs Jacob Preston, center, is congratulated by teammates after scoring a try during the Australia National Rugby League game between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the St George-Illawarra Dragons in Las Vegas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
Bulldogs Stephen Crichton, center, is congratulated by teammates after kicking the winning field goal in extra time during the Australia National Rugby League game between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the St George-Illawarra Dragons in Las Vegas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
