Watch: Modified fields to help Raiders, Sharks and Warriors prepare for Las Vegas
Canberra, Cronulla and the Warriors will be confronted with a unique problem in their Round 1 clashes. BRENT READ explains how they will prepare for what awaits them at Allegiant Stadium. WATCH THE VIDEO
Canberra and Cronulla will play their trial on Thursday night with Las Vegas on their mind after being granted permission by the NRL to modify the field to match the unique dimensions of Allegiant Stadium.
This masthead understands that the width of the field at GIO Stadium will be reduced by five metres to give the players a taste of what awaits them in Sin City, where the two clubs will help launch the season in just over a fortnight.
The Raiders, who will play the Warriors in round one, requested the change and the Sharks had no complaints given they will meet Penrith in the second game of the NRL double header.
The Warriors game against Melbourne in Waikato on Saturday will also be played on a modified field as they step up their preparations for the start of their season.
It is understood the width of both fields will be reduced to just over 63 metres, matching what awaits them in Vegas as they prepare to kick off the season before a crowd of more than 40,000.
The width of Allegiant Stadium raised alarm bells before the teams headed to Las Vegas last year but concerns over the impact it would have on attacking football proved unfounded as the outside backs had a field day for the four teams who took part in the landmark Las Vegas expedition - Manly, South Sydney, the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos.
Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab scored a try and ran for nearly 250 metres in Manly’s win over South Sydney, while Rabbitohs wingers Alex Johnston and Jacob Gagai both scored tries.
It was the same story in the Brisbane-Roosters game as Deine Mariner scored a try, and Jesse Arthurs and Daniel Tupou ran for nearly 200 metres.
The Raiders, Sharks, Panther and Warriors boast some of the most electrifying outside backs in the game and the hope is that a pre-season run on a modified field can help them hit the ground running when they touch down in Las Vegas.
Penrith will be the odd team out after cancelling a scheduled trial against the North Sydney Bears amid concerns over the quality of the opposition.
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