On Saturday night, I revisited the SCG to see rugby for the first time in ages. Well done on the promotion of the heritage of the NSW-Queensland game, but – and a big but – the SCG is simply outdated for rugby.
I remember the old sports ground, which was demolished to build Allianz. I remember watching Ken Catchpole being pulled apart by a man in black. I remember the Springboks in the smoke of the protest Tests.
But it’s silly to be so far from the action when other options are available and, when sitting in the Bill O’Reilly stand, the TV replay happens on an old 21-inch job well over 100 metres away.
One wag commented it was nice the SCG had updated from black and white.
There were plenty of audible grumbles and comments about the primitive nature of the SCG.
If the SCG Trust wants to demolish a stadium and rebuild, this is the one – not Allianz – which is in pretty good nick and really only wants for a roof.
I’m not sure where the Waratahs hierarchy currently sits regarding the proposal to demolish Allianz, but if the plan is to relocate to the SCG, sorry but I’m not coming.
The Waratahs cleverly listened to their fans and moved games from the Olympic stadium to Allianz a few years ago. They will lose a fair chunk of their membership base if they move from Allianz. And it could be that no amount of compensation will cover that loss.
Boz
Guest
As a Rugby League supporter, I would be surprised if the Tahs couldn't sell out 2 games in the bigger towns of country NSW. Perhaps 1 match in Tamworth, and another in Orange?
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Outside the Square is the problem ;) Rugby on an oval is woeful for spectators. Stay inside the square but outside the city. NRC did a great job of taking the game to the Grass Roots.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
NIB stadium is perfect for Rugby isn't getting a lot of use at the moment. Play a couple of Kiwi and Bokke games there, Much like the NRL at Optus, Perth Local Cuzzies and Howzits will flock to see their favorite teams win.
Bakkies
Guest
They will need approval from the Brumbies to host games in their jurisdiction.
Bakkies
Guest
So you are saying that it is not worth taking games to Gosford, Newcastle and Wollongong?
Dean
Guest
The proposed soccer configuration for the SCG of east/west pitch closer to the northern end wouldn't work for rugby, due to the need for in goal areas and a "safety buffer" behind the in goal. The proposed soccer field has the corner flag only a couple of metres from the fence. So forget about the SCG and go to the suburbs and regions. Maybe even a chance to transfer home games to places like Fiji, Tonga, or Samoa? One assumes Gladys will be underwriting the lost revenue, which has been a barrier to more promotional games in those locations in the past.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
All the teams in Southern Inland are in NSW regardless of the Brumbies taling over.
Big Daddy
Guest
Let's not fall into the same trap as rugby league. The NRL have virtually committed themselves to Moore park and Homebush and have ignored the suburban grounds . Sure use SCG only if other grounds are unavailable. I would rather go to packed out newcastle Gosford or Wollongong. Maybe this is why RA are going backwards by not thinking outside the square.
Bakkies
Guest
Agreed it should be seen as an opportunity not a dilemma.
Jimmy James
Guest
I think it is inevitable that during the rebuild of the SCG that the Waratahs will play some games at the SCG. Sydney FC will play half there games at the SCG and split the other half between Kogarh and Leichhardt which is where they draw most of there members from. Interestingly they will run the pitch east/west and push it up close to the world class bradman/noble stand rather then run to pitch north/south like the match on Saturday (see http://www.goal.com/en-au/news/what-football-will-look-like-at-the-scg-for-sydney-fc/oubdo54u9uah19a3k3eq2n0eo). I would like to see the Tahs take a few games to the new Parramatta stadium... and I’m from the east... but it should be a world class intimate stadium. If it’s successful, the Waratahs might look to take games there regularly. The rest of the games should go to Brookvale or North Sydney Oval.
Bakkies
Guest
Not in terms of Rugby since 2006.
Bakkies
Guest
They're the NSW Waratahs not the north and eastern Sydney Waratahs.
Rugby Tragic Too
Roar Guru
or the people can come to the capital city of NSW which is easily attainable by train.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I have seen some great rugby at the SCg including when the Wallabies beat the Boks in the 60s and just went down there to Lions a couple of years later.
Reverse Wheel
Guest
I don't think it's a worthwhile comparison. The NSW and NZ rugby landscapes are chalk and cheese.
Akari
Guest
Thank you. Steve, as I was wondering what it was like last night as I'd never been to a rugby match there. You and Roarers have confirmed what I'd suspected and the SCG is now off my list as a rugby venue.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Pity about that but all the Southern Inland teams are country NSW.
Bakkies
Guest
Another issue is the lights. How often have the lights been used for sporting fixtures at North Sydney Oval since the Bears were booted out?
P2R2
Roar Rookie
The Tahs think Sydney is the base...well it might be but the Burbs and the outer-regions are just as important...look at what the NZ franchises do....they take it to the provinces....works wonderfully...but the Tahs cant bear to be away from their latte drinkers....
Rugby Tragic Too
Roar Guru
'The Waratahs cleverly listened to their fans and moved games from the Olympic stadium to Allianz a few years ago.' No mate the Moore park trust or whatetever its called made them an ultimatum. All of their home games had to be at Moore park or none at all. The waratahs had no choice. They did not wish to turn their backs on West Sydney at all.