The Las Vegas Thread

[Valheru]

I might be in the minority but I don't like the idea of the WCC being there at all. Leave it as a reward for the fans of one of the two teams playing and whilst we are at it, have it in October just before the tests.

 

[Canard]

I might be in the minority but I don't like the idea of the WCC being there at all. Leave it as a reward for the fans of one of the two teams playing and whilst we are at it, have it in October just before the tests.

Its also logistically very challenging and would hugely affect attendance.

As much as I have whinged over the years about the NRL ignoring Rugby League, shouldn't we just focus on the NRL brand in the US for now?

All these combinations are confusing to non-RL fans.

SL can still happen, it just needs to be scheduled accordingly.

 

[Maximus]

If the womens game is to happen it needs to be 100% NRLW standard players (clubs or rep)

Yep it being a women's game wasn't the problem. The specific women's game that was selected was the problem.

They tried to appeal to too many groups and it resulted in uncompetitive garbage being selected as the showcase game for FTA audiences, and an even more uncompetitive game following it to send significant portions of the crowd out to something more entertaining.

From not knowing/understanding the audience and trying to put 4 games on, to the poor scheduling of those games, the whole strategy behind the day was a failure.

 

[Maximus]

I might be in the minority but I don't like the idea of the WCC being there at all. Leave it as a reward for the fans of one of the two teams playing and whilst we are at it, have it in October just before the tests.

The only people who think it'd be a good idea are the people who thought 4 games in 1 day was a good idea right up until 24 hrs ago.

 

[Comfy]

Plenty of people have this opinion and its fair enough.

But if its true that the game breaks even whats the harm ? Its a free throw at the stumps which one day may lead to something good..or even dare i say great.

they might break even now, but it's a missed opportunity to grow the game locally and in realistic areas

 

[Canard]

The only people who think it'd be a good idea are the people who thought 4 games in 1 day was a good idea right up until 24 hrs ago.

How does it even work?

You only select two NRL teams to go to Vegas next year? Or do you select 4 and hope that they dont win the GF (like Penrith did).

Then if they do, you have to madly rush around and get another team to take their place, and expect fans of at least one team (sometimes two) to suddenly book travel to Vegas only a couple of months beforehand.

What if Penrith and Wigan win again, we expect their fans to drop $10k+ every year??

Also what are we marketing here? How does this enhance the NRL TV contract etc? Is this about appealing to fans of the NRL, Americans or just for Australian East Coast TV?

If its the latter, why not hold the games in Parkes? Or Leigh? Whats the difference?

 

[Wb1234]

If we drop the women’s game - which I doubt they will - and move the main NRL game into that slot will that improve the US experience without negatively impacting our coverage in Aus, NZ, UK?

Pvl said one game too many yesterday

And not the right venue for a women’s test

 

[King-Gutho94]

PVL has already came out and said 4 games was probably one too many.

And the jillaroos will be cut

Be cut back to 1 x SL & 2 x NRL.

I seriously find it surprising the whinging about it.

They gave the women's game a crack but ultimately it just didnt work with the opponents for the day.

You live and you learn and PVL is keen to get the balance right.

I think its great PVL & Abdo are quick to admit this and will tinker again next year.

Its great leadership.

 

[Wb1234]

they might break even now, but it's a missed opportunity to grow the game locally and in realistic areas

Why is it mutually exclusive

They are adding png to the nrl and spending some of the govt money on pacific nations like tonga and Samoa

Good chance nz2 comes in as well

Plus the pacific cup has been a massive success

 

[Trifili13]

Wasn't a major focus originally to try and gain a slice (1%) of the US gambling dollar and TV revenue? It just appears there are mixed messages now by introducing super league, playing games at times to maximise tv ratings back here in Australia rather than USA, marketing as a week for supporters to enjoy a week in Vegas. While good businesses pivot as market conditions and results change, but as others have said, what is the purpose of going to America. Are we selling rugby league or the NRL? It just appears the ARL is trying to appease everyone and might end up not appeasing anybody.

 

[Comfy]

Why is it mutually exclusive

They are adding png to the nrl and spending some of the govt money on pacific nations like tonga and Samoa

Good chance nz2 comes in as well

Plus the pacific cup has been a massive success

because there is only a set amount of time before the season starts

focusing on the youth will grow our game, more people playing, larger pool of talent

drawing them from afl and other sports

 

[Wb1234]

because there is only a set amount of time before the season starts

focusing on the youth will grow our game, more people playing, larger pool of talent

drawing them from afl and other sports

Sure

How does playing games in Vegas stop that

I don’t disagree the focus should be on nz and the pacific

But Vegas doesn’t stop that in any way

 

[King-Gutho94]

Wasn't a major focus originally to try and gain a slice (1%) of the US gambling dollar and TV revenue? It just appears there are mixed messages now by introducing super league, playing games at times to maximise tv ratings back here in Australia rather than USA, marketing as a week for supporters to enjoy a week in Vegas. While good businesses pivot as market conditions and results change, but as others have said, what is the purpose of going to America. Are we selling rugby league or the NRL? It just appears the ARL is trying to appease everyone and might end up not appeasing anybody.

Its as much to get a buzz about starting the season as anything.

Any slice they get out of America is a bonus.

As PVL said the other day the game has wasted Millions doing season launches over the years to get everyone buzzed up.

All of sudden send 4 teams to Vegas your basically spending similar money anyway and getting a return from the local tourism.

Plus you have 2 x games that wouldnt have got the crowd they got back home.

Really the only people that should be whinging is the teams that feel hard done by losing a home game.

 

[Comfy]

Sure

How does playing games in Vegas stop that

I don’t disagree the focus should be on nz and the pacific

But Vegas doesn’t stop that in any way

I just explained that to you

 

[Wb1234]

I just explained that to you

Nope

 

[Wb1234]

 

[taste2taste]

Wasn't a major focus originally to try and gain a slice (1%) of the US gambling dollar and TV revenue? It just appears there are mixed messages now by introducing super league, playing games at times to maximise tv ratings back here in Australia rather than USA, marketing as a week for supporters to enjoy a week in Vegas. While good businesses pivot as market conditions and results change, but as others have said, what is the purpose of going to America. Are we selling rugby league or the NRL? It just appears the ARL is trying to appease everyone and might end up not appeasing anybody.

Listening to various interviews with PVL and Abdo the aim ranges from increasing the numbers of users of the Watch NRL app to having profesional teams playing out of the USA ( yes, Abdo said that )

I think the aim is to grow international broadcast rights and id like to think they are genuiene in trying to grow the game in the USA...but who knows.

But even if all that fails, its been a great season launch in Australia.

 

[Canard]

Be cut back to 1 x SL & 2 x NRL.

I seriously find it surprising the whinging about it.

The issue was the impact it had on the crowd in the stadium, and the TV ratings. And the fact that most people could see this coming, weeks ago.

I think it would be very harsh on NRLW players to exclude them going forward, its not their fault the administrators misjudged the quality of the English players.

If the two NRL games were back to back, then people can attend (and watch on TV) without much disruption. The NRLW and SL games can be scheduled around that.

 

[Canard]

The other issue is that the biggest strength of the fixture is Vegas itself. Its also the biggest challenge in getting people to stay in their seats for hours.

You can't blame fans for wanting to enjoy Vegas on a Saturday night over watching their team getting flogged, or trying to entice them to stay to watch a team they don't even support.

 

[Wb1234]

The issue was the impact it had on the crowd in the stadium, and the TV ratings. And the fact that most people could see this coming, weeks ago.

I think it would be very harsh on NRLW players to exclude them going forward, its not their fault the administrators misjudged the quality of the English players.

If the two NRL games were back to back, then people can attend (and watch on TV) without much disruption. The NRLW and SL games can be scheduled around that.

You said four games was too much

Now you are saying they should keep the women’s game in some format

lol