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The NRL and Suncorp Stadium could end up with egg on their face after revelations plans for a Magic Round in Brisbane next year clashes with a Super Rugby fixture between the Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs.
The NRL held a media conference on Sunday to announce that all eight games of round 10 next year will be held at Suncorp Stadium over the weekend of May 17-19.
But in a huge embarrassment, it appears their arrangement may be scuppered before getting off the ground.
The Reds last week unveiled their schedule for next year, that includes a match against the Waratahs on May 18 at Suncorp.
The NRL have been contacted for comment.
Earlier, Greenberg said the round would “showcase our game and create a festival-like occasion.”
Greenberg spruiked Brisbane as the best place to launch Magic Round, forecast to be an annual event.
The NRL has signed a multi-year agreement with the Queensland government and Brisbane City Council to hold it in Brisbane but he admitted could move locations in the future.
“I think it’s a fitting start for what will be an annual event,” Greenberg said on Sunday.
“There’s probably not a better place to try it than here in Queensland.
“I expect it to be a roaring success.”
Greenberg said the concept showed the NRL wanted to be as innovative as possible and to also do things differently to grow and foster the code.
“The community interaction that we will have with all 16 clubs in place will be phenomenal,” he said.
“Our coaches would be in grass roots clubs helping junior coaches, our players will be doing community work and on top of that you will see a great spectacle here on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.”
Ticket prices will be aimed at families and patrons can buy one ticket for access to any of the double-header or triple-header sessions, as well as one covering all.
The NRL sees Magic Round as its premier innovation event for 2019 but Greenberg is also optimistic about kicking off the season with a game on the United States west coast, dubbed Round Zero.
“We can’t get a confirmation yet because there’s a lot of parts still to play including broadcasters and clubs and travel and, of course, cost but we’re working our way through that,” he said.
The Magic Round is tipped to pump more than $60 million into the Queensland economy and generate 300,000 room just before before the start of the State of Origin series.
Both Greenberg and Brisbane Broncos skipper Darius Boyd played down any concerns the Suncorp Stadium surface, which also cops Super Rugby and A-League traffic, would be able to cope with eight games over one weekend.
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