The Melbourne Rebels and Australian Rugby Union (ARU) are threatening to move the next Super Rugby fixture at AAMI Park unless the surface is fixed.
They will also insist the Melbourne Olympic Park Trust, who control the ground, pay for an alternative venue in Melbourne for the July 2 clash against the Stormers if the condition of AAMI Park is not improved by Saturday.
“The immediate issue is the safety and welfare around playing on that surface in ten days time, based on what was evident on Saturday night,” ARU general manager Rob Clarke told News Corp Australia.
“We just simply cannot compromise the safety of our players who could suffer a career-ending injury based on what was evidenced on Saturday night.”
The turf was repeatedly torn up at the ground during scrums in Australia’s 23-7 loss to England on Saturday night, with dangerous sandy holes also regularly exposed.
In a positive sign, 40 per cent of the turf was reportedly replaced at the ground before the match, and those areas held up well.
Etihad Stadium is AFL-free on July 2 if the match is required to be moved.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nah, it's just the fact they are actually aware of their legal position. They cannot just decide to relocate the game. They will lose money that is desperately needed if they relocate the game. As a result they need to give the AAMI Park trust full opportunity to rectify the problem and if the games are relocated it will be at the expense of AAMI Park trust and the Rebels can take action for loss of income as a result. Thankfully those people are running these businesses, not the people on this site.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
"Don't ticket at all". Spoken like somebody with no appreciation of the fact that franchises need to make some money to survive.
Norad
Guest
I blame the Storm. Keep league of it.
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
This is a hollow threat made only to impress fans. If the ARU had any gonads they would just relocate without all this talking. They know full well it won't be fixed.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Rubbish. The problem was that AAMI Park only relayed the affected areas in the lead up (the areas that did not have problems). If they'd done the whole ground it wouldn't have been an issue. Most of these comments are hyperbole. The surface has not been a problem since its opening in 2011 to April this year. Clearly it's a specific issue not a systematic problem.
Sam
Guest
Etihad would be expensive and the atmosphere of the game would be ruined. 10,000 in a ground built for 55,000 just isn't right and that's not to mention Etihad is a ground not suitable for rugby (in my opinion no oval ground is suitable for rugby). The Rebels would be better of playing it at Harlequin in Ashwood- which is where their friendly v the Hurricanes is being played. Roll in some temporary fencing and seating or make it an style Park atmosphere and don't ticket it at all.
CUW
Guest
there is no effin way that ground can be fixed in one week or one month. the best optionis to completely relay the pitch with an 80/20 hybrid turf. that is the kind few european grounds use , like the one where euro final was played. it will be costly but then the quality will be higher ( i heard it costs as much as GBP 1.2 mio !!)
Old Bugger
Guest
IMO, it is the only option they have......and, for the correct reasons.