I was scheduled to fly IAH-LAX-SYD yesterday on AA. Due to terrible storms the inbound aircraft (DFW-IAH) was delayed, followed by our plane being delayed. The crew then timed out. We were deboarded while a reserve crew came in. Arrived LAX at ~4am, missing my original scheduled departure of AA73. AA rebooked me on the flight today (5/8) resulting in a lost day/overnight.

HOWEVER.... AA73 was also delayed due to MX and then crew issues and rescheduled to 10:30 AM today. On landing in LAX, I inquired if I could be put on the delayed AA73 (my original flight), thus arriving 12 hours late, not 24. I was told since it was a RON/return to gate, this was not possible. Is this true?