Was it worthwhile for the NZ Warriors to play in Las Vegas and in turn get done by the Canberra Raiders?
The 30-8 result marks the Warriors' largest season-opening loss in club history.
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Raiders wins Savelio Tamale and Xavier Savage were both huge for their side, running for over 200 metres each, while young half Ethan Strange impressed as well.
Canberra ran out to a 16-nil lead in the first half and never looked back, going on to add two more tries in the second half.
The Raiders took only six minutes to take the lead through a try to Kiwi centre Seb Kris and extended their advantage through Savage before the half hour.
Moments later, he doubled down from a length-of-the-field try while the Warriors were pressing hard on attack, but Luke Metcalf's final to winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was picked off by Savage, who went untouched, as he sprinted away.
Second-rower Kurt Capewell put the Warriors on the scoreboard with a try before halftime, but Kris also had his second soon after the restart, when fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad spilled a high kick near his goal-line.
Kiwis and Raiders centre Matt Timoko had a try disallowed, through obstruction, but was able to score anyway when he received a pass on halfway and beat the last defender to score.
The Warriors had plenty of opportunites to score and eventuall crossed when Raiders captain Joseph Tapine was sin-binned for a shoulder charge on counterpart Mitch Barnett.
Tuivasa-Sheck went in over the left corner for a try, but and chance of a comeback was gone by that stage and so was the visit to Las Vegas.
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The Warriors round two clash is against Manly Sea Eagles at Mt Smart Media Stadium Friday, 14 March
Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas: Canberra Raiders 30 (Sebastian Kris 6’, 45’ Xavier Savage 27’ 32’, Matthew Timoko 56’ tries, Jamal Forgarty 4 con, pen) Warriors 8 (Kurt Capewell 38’, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 71’ tries). HT: 16-4