The nomadic NSW Waratahs are poised to play a home Super Rugby match outside Sydney for the first time, with a “historic announcement” scheduled for Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on Tuesday morning.
With their Allianz Stadium base being rebuilt, the Waratahs will play eight Super home games at several different venues next year.
It was announced on Monday NSW would head back to Sydney’s Brookvale Oval for their opening 2019 competition match against the Hurricanes on February 16.
Brookvale hosted a Super Rugby game against the Blues in 2018 and a Waratahs pre-season trial in each of the past two seasons.
The NSW Rugby Union last week announced the Waratahs would play three home fixtures at the new Western Sydney Stadium
That venue will stage matches involving the Sharks, Jaguares and Brumbies.
Sites still have to be announced for four fixtures .
Attractive and larger drawing games against defending champions the Crusaders and domestic rivals the Reds and Rebels still have to be placed, with some, if not all of those likely to land at the SCG.
If Newcastle doesn’t get any of those games it would host the March 29 clash with Japan’s Sunwolves..
Lano
Roar Guru
Venues haven't been announced yet, but Tahs 1st game is against the Hurricanes, so take some tissues.
Lano
Roar Guru
Coffs would be terrific for a rugbyless Northern Rivers resident!! Pity it has to be the Tahs though.
AlBo
Guest
Can't wait for the season opener at Brookie... was a fantastic atmosphere last year and hoping for the same again. Might head up to Newcastle too... well overdue.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
It's great they will be playing at different venues, it will be interesting to see what the attendances will be like. I'm looking forward to checking out some of the venues.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Rugby NSW hates playing at the SCG, but they are contractually bound to it due to the agreement with the SCG trust that is a huge source of funding. It is because the SCG trust couldn't provide clarity of availability for these games were NSWRU able to activate a clause that allowed them to look elsewhere.
ForwardsWinMatches
Guest
Only a current day rugby administrator would regard the SCG as a good option.
Bakkies
Roar Guru
Since when did the Tahs pull in a large home crowd against the Rabble? The Brumbies apart from the last few years where the comp has gone to pot pull across the board they drew in the largest home crowds for the Tahs mainly due to away support. I can't remember the last time the Reds attracted 30,000 plus in Sydney. When the Reds were strong between 2011-13 the Tahs were struggling.
Bakkies
Roar Guru
Albury is in Brumbies' territory.
Frank
Guest
I think the SCG is a terrible venue for Rugby. The spectators are so far away from the action.
ForwardsWinMatches
Guest
Gosford, Wollongong, Dubbo, Tamworth, Coffs, Albury... Concord Oval a good idea too.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
It is ironic, that the rebuilding of stadiums at great and unnecessary expense is the context and catalyst for the Waratahs, the NSW state team, playing games in a region of NSW. Thank you to the New Stadium Lobby (who are you?) for levering the Tahs out of Moore Park. Parramatta, Newcastle. Where next? Bowraville? (Hint:it’s in ‘Queensland’)