'Four games is too much': Jillaroos facing the axe in Las Vegas shake-up
Updated . First published at
Rugby league's second venture into Las Vegas came across as a major success, but not everybody was left feeling satisfied by the quadruple-header on Sunday (AEDT).
While the final game between premiership heavyweights Penrith and Cronulla was the type of showcase league fans enjoyed, the other three were blowout contests.
Speaking the morning after the event, Broncos legend Corey Parker admitted he wasn't completely thrilled with the women's Test match and Super League fixtures.
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Corey Parker. Chris Hyde/Getty Images
"If I'm being honest, in regards to what we saw in rugby league … I'm a little underwhelmed," he told SEN radio.
"We had the game between Wigan and Warrington which started things off and at one point, it was 42 points to zip.
"Then we went into the Raiders and Warriors and then 90 points to four in the women's game. I'm all for the women's game, but can we do that a little bit better?"
More than 45,000 fans packed into Allegiant Stadium for the four-game extravaganza, which will continue next year as the Dragons and Bulldogs eye off a spot.
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However, according to ARLC chairman Peter V'landys, there will likely be one casualty and it could be the Jillaroos who find themselves on the chopping block.
"Four games was probably too much," he told media including The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday.
Tamika Upton celebrates a try in Australia's win over England. Getty
"We'll probably go back to three games [in 2026]. I think four was too long – you could tell because the fans left their seats. You want them to stay there, and I think if you had three games they probably would have. With four games, it's a long day.
"As passionate as I am about rugby league, it's still a very long day. You want to shorten that a little bit and have the three games. We really do want to keep the Super League partnership because that worked exceptionally well.
"It generated a complete new atmosphere and a vibe that I've never seen, so that probably continues."
At this stage, the NRL is yet to confirm which teams will play in the season opener next year, with a host of clubs lining up to represent the game in Sin City.
