Kevin Walters reveals key to winning in Las Vegas amid big call on Broncos’ premiership hopes

Kevin Walters has revealed his key advice for the NRL team’s travelling to Las Vegas for Round 1 as he makes a big call about the Broncos.

Former Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters has provided unique insight to news.com.au about the specialised game plan and tactics NRL coaches need to bring into a rugby league game in Las Vegas ahead of the competition’s second foray into the US.

Walters was one of four head coaches who made the trip to Las Vegas to showcase Australia’s great game to the world in 2024, and he has provided some words of wisdom to the teams who are making the trip this year.

Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

This year the Canberra Raiders will head to Las Vegas to face the New Zealand Warriors before the Penrith Panthers go head-to-head with the Cronulla Sharks.

And while Walters’ Broncos side were ultimately unsuccessful in their 20-10 loss to the Roosters in 2024, he warned the teams heading over this year to prepare for a completely different game to what they are used to.

“Las Vegas is a terrific opportunity for fans to get involved from around the world and the biggest challenge for teams and players heading over there is that there are two competition points on offer,” Walters told news.com.au.

“There are obviously a lot of distractions but the teams are very professional and it is a great opportunity to go and experience it all.”

Kevin Walters says Las Vegas presents a unique challenge for NRL teams. Image: Grant Trouville/Getty

Before making the trip last year the coaches were informed the conditions would be different to what they are used to, but even Walters was caught off guard when he got there.

“That stadium (Allegiant Stadium) is incredible but it is much shorter and narrower and even the surface is different,” Walters continued.

“The field’s dimensions create unique challenges and obviously changes the way you need to play.”

Where normally an NRL field is 116m long (including 8m in-goal areas) and 68m wide, that isn’t the case at Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.

The shorter and narrower Allegiant Stadium presents unique challenges. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Instead, the playing surface there is 107.3m long (94.5m from goalpost to goalpost, plus 6.4m in-goal areas) and 63.1m wide.

A shorter in-goal area also means less opportunity for tries off grubbers in behind and the almost 5m narrower field keeps the game more compact.

In the Broncos/Roosters game last year that was on display, with a low scoring first half. Brisbane only conceded one first half try which was on the back of an interception to Joey Manu.

While the shorter field and much shorter in goal saw about more running plays on last tackle in attack and increased attempts at 20/40s and 40/20s, with a shorter kick distance than usual required.

And Walters expects teams to have an even clearer game plan coming into Las Vegas this time around, but still believes it will be tricky for teams to adapt to the conditions.

“We had a captains run at the stadium but away from that we didn’t get much chance to get used to the dimensions,” Walters said.

“I’m sure it is something coaches are thinking up a plan for but at the end of the day they will just have to go there and make the most of it, but it definitely creates some challenges.

“When you get there it is such a different atmosphere and it is a unique experience, but it is one that is very enjoyable.”

Allegiant Stadium (pictured) will host an NRL double header next month (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Kevin Walters believes Broncos are in the 2025 NRL premiership picture

Speaking ahead of the 2025 NRL season, Walters – who will return to Fox League as an expert analyst – believes the Broncos will be one of the dark horses and most improved teams in 2025.

Away from last year’s grand finalists, the Panthers and Storm, the former Queensland Maroons coach believes the Broncos and Rabbitohs will be the two big improvers this year and expects this year’s top eight to look very different.

“Melbourne and Penrith are still the two to beat this year of course but I see the Broncos really improving this year,” Walters said.

“There’s a lot of talent there and they’ll be a team to watch.
“The Rabbitohs are another big improver in 2205. Wayne Bennett knows how to get the best out of his players and they will be a lot better under Wayne and with all their injured guns coming back.”

To celebrate Fox League being the ONLY place to watch all 4 games of Rugby League in Las Vegas 2025, Kayo Sports is giving away a trip of a lifetime to Sin City! Enter now at kayogreencard.com.

Nathan Hindmarsh and Bryan Fletcher announce Kayo Sports new competition ‘The Kayo Green Card’ which gives Kayo subscribers the opportunity to win an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas for the NRL season opener. Photo: Kayo Sports / Brett Costello

Walters also believes the likes of the Dolphins, Warriors, Titans and Tigers will be in the top eight hunt and will be far better this year.

“There will be some teams that were right up there and in contention last year that will likely find themselves out of the eight,” Walters continued.

“I expect some big sides will miss out and some that found themselves down near the bottom being a lot better.

“The Warriors and Dolphins are on the up and the Tigers will be big improvers this year. As will the Titans in their second year under Des (Hasler).”

Originally published as Kevin Walters reveals key to winning in Las Vegas amid big call on Broncos’ premiership hopes