It's official, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are the first NRLA team to ever record a win in Las Vegas following a historic 36-24 victory over South Sydney in America tonight.
The magnificent Allegiant Stadium kicked off the Telstra Premiership season in fine style, marking the first ever premiership game to be played in America. It came just two weeks after Allegiant Stadium hosted the Super Bowl.
The Sea Eagles were the only club from the four teams involved in the Double Header to stay in Las Vegas for the duration of the trip. And it paid off, with Manly winning over plenty of fans along the way in their six tries to five victory after leading 12-10 at half-time.
For Manly, the match saw Jaxson Paulo (#650), Luke Brooks (#651) and Nathan Brown (#652) make their Club debuts for the Sea Eagles.
South Sydney opened the scoring through a converted try to centre Richard Kennar off a short dummy half pass from Damien Cook for a 6-0 lead.
Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs – Round 1, 2024
Manly winger Jason Saab was set for the tryline in the 18th minute only to be ankle tapped by Souths half-back Lachlan Ilias.
After being denied a try to full-back Tom Trbojevic, the Sea Eagles crossed quickly soon after through powerful second-rower Haumole Olakauátu for a 6-all scoreline after 24 minutes.
Five minutes later, Brooks lost the ball in trying to reach out to score after taking the line on.
Souths stretched their lead to 10-6 in the 30th minute through a try to winger Jacob Gagai on debut.
Manly were then denied another try in the 35th minute when Tom Trbojevic lost control of the ball in trying to score after nice work from Brooks.
Some good fortune finally came Manly's way when Saab took an intercept pass from Mitchell to score to give the Sea Eagles a 12-10 lead at half-time.
Mitchell used his size and strength to crash over on the last tackle to give Souths a 14-12 lead four minutes after half-time before winger Alex Johnston found some open space to score a converted try in corner for a 20-12 lead after 48 minutes.
Manly hit back immediately when crafty hooker Lachlan Croker darted over from dummy half for a 20-18 scoreline.
The Sea Eagles regained the lead when impressive young second-rower Ben Trbojevic scored out wide for a 24-20 lead after 55 minutes.
Sea Eagles: Round 1
A short grubber in-goal from half-back and captain Daly Cherry-Evans saw Reuben Garrick celebrate his try with a traditional American gridiron touchdown for a 30-20 lead after 62 minutes.
Brooks then capped of his Club debut with a try out wide as his new team-mates celebrated around him at 36-20 with four minutes remaining.
Kennar then scored his second try in the 78th minute for the 36-24 scoreline.
