NFL-seized fields to be used for NRL trial games in bid to prepare teams playing in Las Vegas
Modifications will be made to Canberra's GIO Stadium and FMG Stadium Waikato ahead of NRL trial games this weekend, to help players players headed to Las Vegas to acclimatise to the smaller playing field.
This weekend will be the final trials for the four teams competing at Allegiant Stadium on March 1.
To help the players adjust, the NRL approved officials to change the dimensions for the two grounds, from 100m to 94.5m in length and 68m to 63.1m in width.
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Instead of dividing the field into 10-metre portions - the NRL will cut it into 9.45m blocks for the trials.
Canberra will host the Sharks in the nation's capital on Thursday night, while the Warriors face the Storm in Hamilton on Saturday night.
Allegiant Stadium in 2024. Getty
Sharks skipper Cameron McInnes said the club had set up a smaller field during training sessions to help give players an idea of how it will be.
"At training they have adjusted the lines for us," McInnes told NRL.com "This week against Canberra we are playing against them at their stadium, and they have done the same, which will be good, although to be honest it doesn't make much difference in the middle."
The Cronulla captain admitted he had spoken to other players who had played in the first ever rendition of the Las Vegas games, and the consensus was split.
"I was in the Origin arena last year with the Souths, Manly and Roosters boys, and Payne [Haas] from the Broncos. They all had varying opinions about it," he said.
"The questions I was asking were more around training than the game itself. The Roosters went to LA to start with, which is what we are doing as well, whereas Manly went to Vegas the whole time.
Nat Butcher of the Roosters runs the ball during the round one NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos at Allegiant Stadium, on March 02, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Getty
"What I would say is that the Manly boys and Roosters boys had a better time than Souths and the Broncos, and that's because they won.
"That's how it works in footy, they all spoke highly of the experience, but I was listening more to the Manly and Roosters guys."
The four NRL teams playing at Allegiant Stadium will depart next week to prepare for round one, with the Sharks to stay in Los Angeles before heading to Nevada.
Canberra, Penrith and the Warriors will be based in Las Vegas.
