‘Four Matches Is Excessive’: Jillaroos Under Threat in Las Vegas Reorganisation

The second foray of rugby league into Las Vegas was perceived as largely successful, yet not everyone was completely satisfied with the quadruple-header showcased on Sunday (AEDT).

While the finale featuring powerhouse clubs Penrith and Cronulla delivered a thrilling spectacle for league supporters, the preceding three matches were decidedly one-sided.

Reflecting on the event the following morning, Broncos legend Corey Parker expressed his reservations about the women’s Test match and the Super League games.

“To be honest, I felt a bit underwhelmed by what we witnessed in rugby league,” he shared on SEN radio.

“The opening match between Wigan and Warrington was a bit of a damp squib, with a scoreline of 42-nil at one stage.

“Following that, the Raiders faced the Warriors, and the women’s match was a staggering 90 to 4. I’m all for promoting women’s rugby, but surely we can improve on this?”

A crowd of over 45,000 packed into Allegiant Stadium for the four-match extravaganza, with plans for the event to return next year as the Dragons and Bulldogs vie for a spot.

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However, according to ARLC chairman Peter V’landys, it seems likely that one format might be axed, with the Jillaroos potentially facing the cut.

“Having four games was probably excessive,” he mentioned to media, including The Sydney Morning Herald, on Monday.

“We’ll likely revert to three games in 2026. Four was just too lengthy, and you could see people leaving their seats. You want fans to remain engaged, and with three games, they probably would have stayed. Four games make for an excessively long day.

“As much as I love rugby league, it stretches the limits on how long one can sit. We need to streamline the experience while continuing to foster our Super League partnership, which proved immensely successful.

“It has brought a fresh atmosphere that I’ve rarely encountered, so we definitely want that to persist.”

As it stands, the NRL has not yet announced which teams will kick off the season next year, with numerous clubs eager to make their mark in Sin City.