As he prepares to join a select group of players to play in Las Vegas twice, Karl Lawton says training at Hull KR is harder than in the NRL.
The 30-year-old utility forward from Murwillumbah moved to Hull after stints at four NRL clubs and is set to play against the Broncos in the World Club Challenge before returning to Vegas with the Super League champions on February 28.
Provided he takes the field, Lawton - who played for Manly in 2024 - will join St George Illawarra’s Damien Cook and Daniel Atkinson in making a return visit to Sin City.
But unlike the former Rabbitohs hooker and Sharks playmaker, he has the chance to be the first player to win there twice when Hull KR meet Leeds in the opening match of the February 28 triple-header at Allegiant Stadium, featuring the NRL's season opening Cowboys-Knights and Bulldogs-Dragons matches.
Asked to compare training under coach Willie Peters with what he is used to at Gold Coast, North Queensland, the Sea Eagles and Warriors, he said: “They train harder here".
“I’ll swear that: they train hard here. That’s what enticed me as well. I’d heard from (players) when they come over here, how hard they train and how physical as well," Lawton continued.
“And when I came here, I was pretty impressed with how the boys went. It’s top notch. You can see why they’ve had so much success because what they do out there (on the training paddock) replicates on the field.
“Everyone competes across the board which makes it 10 times better. There’s no dip-off between the first team and the second team. You’ve got the second squad competing against the first squad and that only makes the first squad better.
“It’s pretty hard to get that, I reckon. As a club it’s pretty hard to get that many quality players in amongst it but this club’s done some great recruitment and I think it pays off. It definitely makes you a better player.
"It’s a no-brainer: the harder you train, the better you play.”
NRL stars keen to build on Vegas success
The treble-winning Robins take on Leeds in Las Vegas on February 28. Team-mates Mikey Lewis and Elliot Minchella told NRL.com at the Super League season launch in Manchester on Thursday that Lawton had been tipping off his new club-mates on what to expect in Nevada.
Lawton said: “It’s a fun time, especially if you win. I went to the Grand Canyon, saw a hockey game, saw Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, went to the Sphere, did so many things.
"It was unbelievable and I think it’s a good opportunity for people who haven’t been before to experience a whole new lifestyle.
"Like, living over there for a week, 10 days, however long you go for … it’s something you will never experience again in your life.
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“You can’t (explain) how big and how extreme everything is … it’s a megalithic hotel with a big projector screen with the footy boys on there! Your head is sitting on the whole side of a hotel. It’s crazy!
“We got there early and had a bit of fun, got it out of our system, and when we trained we trained hard and then had a little celebration after the win.
“It’s harder here because we’ve got games beforehand. We had 10 days, 12 days so you could let your hair down and then rip into training for a week.”
On the importance of a victory in Vegas, Lawton said: “I think it definitely sets up your season. It’s like a grand final. If you lose … you sort of put a lot of pressure on yourself, there’s a lot of hype around it so you want to make sure you’re coming through with the goods.”
Having added Humberside to previous domiciles in the Northern Rivers, Townsville, Sydney and Auckland, Lawton says: “I don’t like sitting in one place the whole time. I like change. I try to chase opportunity.
“Whoever gives you the next shot is where I want to be - especially at a club like this that competes on everything, that’s hungry, that trains hard.
“It’s too good to pass up and the success they’ve had in the 2025 season, I think it’s silly not to take that opportunity.”
Before Vegas is the title decider between the Super League champions and NRL premiers Brisbane at MKM Stadium on February 19, and Lawton said that was another lure to joining Rovers.
“Everyone was saying: ‘you get to play in the World Club Challenge’. I’m like ‘wow, that’s mad!’.” he said.
“It’s a Mr Fixit role. I don’t really have a preferred position. It’s where the team needs me and wherever I can fit in.
“I think I’ll finish here. I’ve always wanted to come over here and do this. It’s always been one of my goals, since I first started when I was a young kid.
"I’ve always wanted to notch some games up and come over here and finish my career. It’s such a good opportunity and already I’ve loved it.”
