Calls for NRL investigation after Reece Walsh moment infuriates fans in $828 million ‘disgrace’.
The Allianz Stadium surface was condemned again on Thursday night as the Broncos thrashed the Roosters.
NRL commentator Warren Smith has called on league officials to investigate Allianz Stadium after the playing surface wasn’t up to scratch on Thursday night in the Broncos’ thrashing of the Roosters. Brisbane started the Michael Maguire era with a staggering 50-14 thrashing of the Roosters in a sign that Trent Robinson’s side are in for a long season.
No team has ever won the NRL competition after conceding 50 points in a regular season game. But many pointed out the scoreline could have been a lot worse for the Roosters if not for the slippery conditions that saw players lose their footing and fall over on numerous occasions.
Reece Walsh, pictured here slipping over during the Broncos and Roosters game.
Reece Walsh slipped over a number of times. Image: Fox League/Getty
Sydney was hit by a downpour just before kick-off at Allianz Stadium, but it wasn’t enough to cause such slippery conditions at such a world-class venue. It wasn’t as bad as what we saw last August for the Roosters and Eels clash when a layer of water sat on top of the playing surface for the majority of the game.
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On that occasion former Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson described it as the worst surface he’d ever played on, and Venues NSW was forced to open an investigation into why the water didn’t drain away better. The rebuilt stadium only opened in 2022 and cost $828 million, so you’d expect it to be able to drain water fairly quickly.
Absolute razzle-dazzle from Broncos against RoostersScroll back up to restore default view.
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But there were more ugly scenes on Thursday night as players lost their footing and the turf became chopped up and dangerous. The situation hit a low point in the first half when Broncos superstar Reece Walsh crabbed across field and slipped over while trying to step back on the inside.
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The incident saw Smith lash out in commentary for Fox League. “This surface, there will be an investigation again into this playing surface, after the dramas of last year,” he said.
“The flood, after a bit of a downpour during the early part of the game, the field was under water between the Roosters and the Eels in August last year. It hasn’t been raining to that extent in Sydney to explain this surface.”
Broncos and Roosters players during their NRL clash at Allianz Stadium.
Allianz Stadium cost $828 million to rebuild, but the surface hasn’t been up to scratch. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Gehamat Shibasaki in action during the Broncos and Roosters clash.
Gehamat Shibasaki was among a number of players to slip over, with the surface left chopped up. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Greg Alexander said the surface shouldn’t have been affected by what he described as “passing showers”, adding: “The surface is way too slippery for the little amount of rain they’ve had there. It’s been affected greatly.”
NRL fans were left infuriated on social media, with one labelling the surface “dreadful” and a “disgrace”. Others pointed out the Broncos might have scored 60 if they were playing on a dry track with no footing issues.
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Alexander said: “The Roosters are lucky that they got some rain. They’re lucky the field’s a bit slippery. If this was dry, my god, this might be 60 (points) now.” Smith added: “If it was Allegiant Stadium (in Las Vegas), under the roof, perfect dome conditions, this could be anything.”
Broncos makes staggering start to Michael Maguire era
Selwyn Cobbo still managed to snare a hat-trick, while the Broncos got tries from Gehamat Shibasaki, Cory Paix, Jack Gosiewski, Ben Hunt, Walsh and Jesse Arthars. It came as a huge statement of intent after the Broncos sacked Kevin Walters and replaced him with Maguire at the end of last year.
