NRL urged to make change as Danika Mason and Andrew Johns caught in Vegas furore
The NRL's second venture into Las Vegas and the American market was an overwhelming success. But there were a couple of things the league and Channel 9 got very wrong.
Channel 9's decision not to have commentators calling the game in-person resulted in some backlash from fans, who felt the call was a bit underwhelming considering the atmosphere was electric in Vegas. While Fox League sent over a dedicated team, including Andrew Voss, Greg Alexander, Dan Ginnane, Matty Johns and Michael Ennis calling games live from Allegiant Stadium, Channel 9 didn't.
The Nine Network had Danika Mason, Paul Gallen and Johnathan Thurston at the ground during their regular sideline duties, but Mat Thompson and Andrew Johns called the play-by-play action from a studio back in Sydney. Fox League had analysts at the ground dissecting the action post-match, but Billy Slater and Brad Fittler were back in Sydney doing the same for Nine in the studio.
Fans expressed criticism of Nine's call on social media, with many noting it didn't match the sense of occasion that the games in Vegas created. One person wrote on social media: "Why is the Channel 9 commentary so lacklustre today? They're playing in Las Vegas, but you'd think they were playing in Mudgee."
Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield described Channel 9's decision as "inexplicable" last month. "It's quite outrageous from the network that spent a fortune sending a cast of thousands to the Olympics in Paris last year," Rothfield wrote for the . "Fox Sports admittedly has also called regular season games off the TV from the studios to save costs. But never for an event of this magnitude."
In a bizarre twist, Peter Psaltis (who works for Channel 9) was in Vegas doing commentary for 2GB radio. Leading analyst Steve Allen of Pearman Media told Yahoo Sport Australia recently: "It's very dangerous and potentially explosive (to call games from a studio). Once consumers notice, it will sap confidence and connection to any telecaster who does this. Trust and a feeling you are not being short-changed is very important, especially for a subscription-based streamer. Why pay for second rate and incomplete coverage?"
To be fair, Channel 9 team are watching TV much closer to Mudgee than Vegas
— The Alaskan (@cockroachBLUE) March 2, 2025
They couldn't be bothered sending them to Vegas. Sounds like crap.
— Dios (@generaldioss) March 2, 2025
Questions are also being asked about whether the NRL made the wrong call to have the Jillaroos play England rather than a more competitive women's team. The Australian women trounced England 90-4 in Vegas - their third-biggest win of all time.
Tamika Upton scored five tries and set up another two in a complete domination at Allegiant Stadium, while winger Julia Robinson and bench centre Jess Sergis also crossed for hat-tricks. England coach Stuart Barrow conceded he would understand if Australia did not want to play them in Vegas again next year, and many are questioning whether it was the best way to promote the women's game in America.
With no fully-professional women's rugby or NFL competition in America, the NRLW is viewed as a space where rugby league can make an impact. There are calls for Australia to play New Zealand next year, or for a women's State of Origin match to feature instead.
"It would be a great match-up if we played the Kiwi Ferns (in Vegas next year), we are always keen to play them," Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner said. "But we are also grateful England came to the party and wanted to play here.
"This is a great platform for them to build the game in their country. And we are about that, women elevating women. We are proud of the performance we put up. We play our own game and we came to show on another stage why we are No.1 in the world. And the girls did that."
Yeh shame women's game looks so awful when they shouldn't have chosen England as their opponents
— wb1234 (@wallybechara) March 2, 2025
Sadly the matchup was poor, and atmosphere defo went out at the stadium. Maybe a womens all-stars type match if u want to continue to showcase the code which I'm happy to see
— Wazza (@WarrenAnscombe) March 2, 2025
Totally agree. Woman's origin would be good.
— Andrew V (@andrewvitu) March 2, 2025
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