Sea Eagles, Roosters get wins in Australia's National Rugby League season opener in Las Vegas

Sea Eagles, Roosters get wins in Australia’s National Rugby League season opener in Las Vegas

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Sea Eagles Reuben Garrick, centre, celebrates after scoring a try during the opening match of the NRL between the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 2, 2024. (AP Photo/David Becker)

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Sea Eagles Luke Brooks, right, runs in to score a try during the opening match of the NRL between the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 2, 2024. (AP Photo/David Becker)

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Spectators watch the NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 2, 2024. (AP Photo/David Becker)

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Sea Eagles Jason Saab leaps to take the ball during the opening match of the NRL between the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 2, 2024. (AP Photo/David Becker)

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Broncos Reece Walsh is airborne as he scores a try during the NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 2, 2024. (AP Photo/David Becker)

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Broncos Reece Walsh scores a try during the NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 2, 2024. (AP Photo/David Becker)

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Broncos Reece Walsh reacts as he runs in to score a try during the NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 2, 2024. (AP Photo/David Becker)

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Roosters Joseph Manu, left, runs at the defense during the NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 2, 2024. (AP Photo/David Becker)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters opened the National Rugby League season Saturday with contrasting wins as part of a doubleheader at Las Vegas’ Allegiant stadium.

In Saturday’s opening game, Manly had a narrow half-time lead, but when Souths’ all-time leading try scorer Alex Johnston touched down in the 46th minute the Rabbitohs had a 20-12 advantage.

But new halves combination Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Brooks then found their rhythm in attack as Manly scored four consecutive tries as the Sea Eagles eased to a 36-24 win.

The Roosters found themselves in a grinding match against the Broncos before a late try to Victor Radley secured a 20-10 vicotry against last year’s grand finalists.

Joseph Manu and Fetalaiga Pauga also scored for the Roosters, while Reece Walsh and Deine Mariner had tries for the Broncos.

The two games, played in front of more than 40,000 fans and televised nationally in the U.S., are the first in a five-year deal to bring NRL teams to Las Vegas, with new clubs from the Australia-New Zealand competition rotating in over the coming years.

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AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports