Rugby league’s efforts to establish a foothold in Las Vegas have faced a setback this year as a highly anticipated international match between Greece and the USA was abruptly cancelled due to safety concerns. Originally set to start at 1pm (AEDT) and broadcast online, the game was delayed due to lighting issues at Silverbowl Park.
After nearly two hours of waiting, officials were left with no choice but to call off the match, resulting in both teams being left without a game. A statement issued via X clarified, “The USA v Greece match has been called off due to player safety arising from lighting issues at Silverbowl Park, Las Vegas.” The problem was traced back to thieves who had stolen copper wiring from the lights, rendering them non-functional. Consequently, electricians from Clarke County were unable to fix the issue in time for the match.
This scheduled encounter was particularly notable as it intended to showcase some Australian lower-grade players who had travelled to Las Vegas for this unique opportunity. Among the players, former NRL athlete Daniel Vidot was set to represent the USA, having spent recent years abroad in his professional wrestling career.
As it stands, there are no updates regarding the possibility of rescheduling the match.