The bright lights of Vegas were nowhere to be found in the opening match of the NRL’s carnival of footy in the United States this week, with the match between Greece and the USA Hawks called off after the ground was targeted by thieves.
The international fixture was set to kick off an historic two-Test series between the two nations at Silverbowl Park on Wednesday.
But after long delays, the match was eventually called off for a very bizarre reason.
The floodlights were not working because thieves had stripped them of copper in the lead-up to the match.
‘The USA v Greece match has been called off due to player safety caused by lighting issues at Silverbowl Park, Las Vegas,’ International Rugby League said in a statement.
‘The issue was caused by thieves stealing the copper from the light.
One of the lighting towers for the international rugby league match between Greece and USA in Las Vegas was not working – and thieves were to blame
The match needed to be called off because electricians could not restore the faulty lights
It was a disappointing outcome for the Greek side, pictured with Sydney Roosters boss Nick Politis (front, third from right) and board member Mark Bouris (second from left)
‘Electricians from Clarke County were unable to rectify the issue.’
The issue bemused rugby league fans, who said the reason for the cancellation was ‘very American’.
‘Sometimes you wonder about the States, first world country, super power nation and can’t turn the lights on in Vegas when the rest of Vegas is lit up,’ one posted.
‘Gee the game sure is taking off over there with this NRL venture. National team playing and it looks like a suburban ground where the ballboys outnumber the fans,’ added another.
‘It’s a USA problem no game in Australia is called off due to electrical issues….. Very American problem,’ posted yet another.
Other fans slammed the official USA Tomahawks social media team for not providing any updates on what was happening.
‘What’s with the delay? Might want to say something since fans are wondering on the comment section on the feed,’ one fan posted under the live stream link post on social media platform X.
‘Really fun game to watch with heaps of updates as to what happened,’ another posted, dripping with sarcasm.
The Greek players enjoyed a training session with the Canberra Raiders in Sin City
Rugby league star turned wrestler Daniel Vidot (centre) was the main attraction for the USA
NRL great Braith Anasta, who has Greek heritage, handed out jerseys to Greece’s stars
Since the incident, the USA social media team has marked the live stream on YouTube as private and it is inaccessible by the public.
While Greek fans took a very dim view on the lighting fiasco in the international match, they at least got to see their team in action in the lead-up.
The LA Roosters are hosting Greece during their time in the United States and have rolled out the carpet for them.
Sydney Roosters supremo Nick Politis, who also owns the LA Roosters, also made the trip over to back Greece during a joint training session at Long Beach, California.
USARL Chair Matt Goschnick applauded the collaboration.
‘It’s great to see one of our domestic clubs benefit from hosting a touring national team. This initiative will undoubtedly help grow the game across the United States,’ he said.
Greece is hoping their experiences in the US will help grow the game back home as well.
‘This is an incredible experience for our players as we prepare to face the USA in Las Vegas,’ Greek team manager Terry Liberopoulos said.
‘With many of our athletes coming from Greece’s local competition, matches like these will only help rugby league grow in our country.’
Braith Anasta, who has Greek heritage, also handed out the Greek team jerseys this week in Vegas.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .