NRL news: Wayne Bennett advises against the Dolphins going to Las Vegas in 2025

While most clubs have stuck their hands straight up for a taste of Vegas magic in 2025, Wayne Bennett has advised against the Dolphins making the trip to the States.

Wayne Bennett doesn’t think the Dolphins should go to Vegas in 2025.(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Wayne Bennett says he has no idea what the Dolphins will dish up against the Titans and has warned the NRL’s youngest club not to venture to Las Vegas next year.

The Dolphins will be looking to back-up their record-breaking efforts when they head down the M1 to face Gold Coast at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday night.

After a lacklustre 43-18 loss to the Cowboys in round 1, the Dolphins set all sorts of club records in a 38-0 thrashing of the Dragons a week later.

The Dragons demolition was followed by a bye last weekend and the Dolphins will now face the Titans – who have been terrible in heavy losses to the Dragons and Bulldogs.

An Easter miracle could be on the cards for the Titans if the round 1 Dolphins turn up and Bennett said he had little idea how the game would pan out.

“You wouldn’t know what we’d throw up this time,” he said.

“I’ve got no idea. It is a waste of time asking me.

Wayne Bennett played his cards close to his chest about his side’s game plan for round four. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“Of course I do (want the Dolphins to replicate Dragons thrashing). They (players) control that. They controlled the first performance and they controlled the second performance.”

What Bennett is sure about is his stance on the Dolphins playing in next year’s Las Vegas NRL season-opener.

The Dolphins are on a short-list of contenders to head to the United States next year to launch the 2025 NRL Premiership.

But if the seven-time premiership coach – who will vacate his position at the end of this season and be replaced by assistant Kristian Woolf – had it his way they would be staying on home soil.

The four teams that participated in this year’s inaugural Vegas venture – the Broncos, Roosters, Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles – have had varying starts to the season.

Wayne Bennett doesn’t think the Dolphins should go to Vegas in 2025. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“They probably are (keen to go). I’d prefer not to see them go yet,” Bennett said.

“It’s a big trip, it changes your footy season. You’ve got to get yourselves back when you come home and organised.

“It’s not easy. I think they’re a young club and probably need a bit more time.

“But Terry (Reader, Dolphins CEO) wants us to go and if Peter (V’landys, ARLC chairman) wants us to go then we’ll go.”

The Dolphins’ front-office is desperate to be one of the four teams on the 2025 Vegas expedition if the numbers stack up.

“We’re on the short-list,” Reader said.

“We have a home game to bargain with. We’d prefer to be the away side, but the Vegas experience (was great). It’s the NRL’s intention every team will go over the next five years.

“You’d like to think the terms and conditions the NRL put in front of clubs would make sure no-one is worse off for participating.

“I’m sure it will be bigger and better than it was in year one.”

In the meantime, Bennett is banking on the Dolphins stringing back-to-back wins together before they host the Tigers next weekend.

The Dolphins will be looking to match the highs of their 38-0 thrashing of the Dragons. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Dolphins will face a Titans team missing inspirational captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Fa’asuamaleaui won’t be available for the State of Origin series and Bennett backed Dolphins prop Tom Flegler to fill his void for the Maroons.

“We are early in (Flegler’s) career at the moment,” Bennett said.

“I had him at the Broncos when he was a lot younger. I have always had a lot of time for him and like what he brings but I am not in a position to make illustrious statements about him, good or bad, because I haven’t worked with him long enough.

“He has fitted in well here and I think he is enjoying himself.

“I am sure he is going to have to (step up for Queensland).

“It’s not just Tino. There are three or four Queensland players that won’t be available so he will have to stand up, but he will.”

Originally published as NRL news: Wayne Bennett advises against the Dolphins going to Las Vegas in 2025