NSW Cup games moved, but NRL confident wild weather won’t disrupt round one

Sydney’s wild weather has already forced the relocation of two NSW Cup matches, but the NRL is confident its opening round will proceed as scheduled.

There are fears the deluge that has drenched NSW could wash out this weekend’s footy fixtures, given the 820mm of rain to hit Sydney since January 1 is the most on record. The NSWRL has already shifted two matches in the worst affected areas – St George Illawarra were scheduled to host Parramatta at Collegians Sporting Complex in Wollongong on Saturday, but their Knock On Effect NSW Cup season opener has now been shifted to the Eels’ home ground at Kellyville.

Sunday’s Magpies-Mounties encounter was set to be staged at Lidcombe Oval, but flooding will result in that now being held at Campbelltown’s Waminda Oval. Officials are keeping an eye on HE Laybutt Field before making a final call on whether it is capable of hosting the clash between Blacktown Workers and Penrith.

Several junior NSWRL competition matches were washed out last weekend.

Despite the drenching, the NRL is confident Thursday’s season opener between Penrith and Manly will go ahead as planned. The anticipated clash, which has lost some of its lustre after Nathan Cleary was ruled out for at least three weeks, is expected to remain at BlueBet Stadium.

Save for the recent trial match against Parramatta, it will be the first time the Panthers will play in front of their home fans since winning last year’s grand final.

The rain isn’t expected to postpone the opening round of the NRL.Credit:NRL Photos

NRL officials will keep a watching brief on all the affected grounds, but are confident none of the games will be moved or postponed.

“We are in regular contact with venue operators and we expect all games to proceed as scheduled,” said the NRL’s head of football, Graham Annesley.

The recent downpours are just another obstacle the NRL has had to contend with to bring football back to Sydney after the COVID-19 outbreak forced the relocation of the competition to Queensland last year.

The All Stars Game, held at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium, was the first top-flight match held in the state since last July.

While more rain is forecast for Sydney this week, it isn’t expected to be as heavy as Tuesday’s downpours. The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting 2-8mm of rain on Wednesday, with only a 10 per cent chance of rain on Thursday for the season opener.

The conditions haven’t dissuaded Panthers fans from purchasing tickets, with only a limited number of reserved seats still available.

CommBank Stadium will host two matches in as many days; Saturday’s Tigers-Storm clash and then the Eels-Titans encounter on Sunday. Ground officials are confident the venue will hold up despite the recent downpours.

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