NRL in Las Vegas: How smaller fields could shut down fullbacks, change style of footy

The NRL has hit a hurdle in their battle for recognition in the US, as the reduced measurements of Allegiant Stadium threatens to suffocate four of the finest fullbacks of the modern era.

This will be the greatest challenge for rugby league’s $5m superstar fullbacks – trying to set alight the NRL by breaking down the Las Vegas wall.

Current coaches and former players insist the four champion fullbacks playing in Vegas – Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, James Tedesco and Reece Walsh – face being tormented by a compressed defensive line on either side of the field due to Allegiant Stadium’s narrow dimensions.

“They will feel like there’s not enough space,” said Dragons coach Shane Flanagan.

Vegas’ field will be six metres shorter but, more importantly, five metres narrower than a regulation NRL field in Australia. The reduced measurements could suffocate four of the finest running fullbacks of the modern era.

And in their public relations battle for recognition in America, the NRL needs Mitchell, Trbojevic, Walsh and Tedesco to sparkle in front of foreign US fans.

Will the reduced measurements of Allegiant Stadium suffocate the four star fullbacks in the NRL’s Las Vegas double header? Picture: NRL Photos

“We’ve got four of the best fullbacks in the game over there to solve the problem of being short both sides of the field,” Flanagan said.

“When Tom and the other fullbacks try running into spaces, they are going to feel more confined. I’m not saying they can’t get the job done but they will feel more compressed either side of the field.

“But if anyone is going to handle it’s going to be those four. The players on the edges and ball-playing halves, they will also feel like there’s not enough space.

“Teams will feel compressed so it’s going to be a challenge offensively to break down the defensive systems. Players like Cody Walker, they are going to feel it.

“It’s a massive difference all over the field. That (reduced space) is where our fast men go down the outside so it will be a lot harder to create that one-on-one opportunity because players move and cover the field so quickly these days.”

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan believes the smaller field could create a compressed defensive line and shut down our star fullbacks like Latrell Mitchell. Picture: Getty Images

Vegas-bound clubs have been training on reduced sized fields at their training headquarters for the past two months.

NRL players play on a regulation field measuring 68 metres in width and 100 metres between trylines.

Another NRL coach said: “We are very fortunate to have Tommy, Tedesco, Latrell and Reece Walsh. They’ll use their instinct when to play at the ruck and when to use their speed and evasiveness on the edges.

“Sides will put a lot of emphasis on the ruck so when teams start to compress, that’s when we’ll see those four players start to have some joy out wide.

“They are pretty influential in their side’s attack and are all highly intelligent with how the game needs to be played and how their team plays. There could be some cat and mouse.

“If teams play more direct, and sides start to overcrowd the middle, and if your 13’s start to create some momentum with their short passes and decision-making through the middle, then all of a sudden we’ll start to see those blokes on the edges open up the game.”

Will James Tedesco find the space he needs in Vegas? Picture: NRL Imagery

Former greats claim the shorter and narrower field dimensions will give US fans exactly what they want – fierce collision.

“You’ll need to win the ruck and middle and that will mean more crash, bash and bang,” said ex-NSW captain, Laurie Daley.

“There will be less space on the outside which means teams will have to tighten up their games, which is probably what Americans want to see.

“You’ll see more collisions and a more gladiatorial aspect of the game. There’ll be more bruising hits and carries.”

Ex-Balmain, NSW and Kangaroos firebrand Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach added: “The game has changed with smaller-type forwards with speed but the narrower field might let the big men dominate more.

“Let’s get that collision going and make the Americans go: ‘What!? How do you do that for 80 minutes?’”

And league giant Mark Carroll said: “The less width will mean a bash-a-thon through the middle. It will be like an NFL game through the middle.

“The American fans will love that collision through the middle. I just hope there’s enough room and it doesn’t look like a game of rugby union.”

Originally published as NRL in Las Vegas: How smaller fields could shut down fullbacks, change style of footy