The NRL is getting hot under the collar ahead of Sunday’s Grand Final, with forecasts now holding that the temperature at Accor Stadium could be as high as 38 degrees ahead of the three scheduled games.
The potential for extreme temperatures has been known all week, but as the day itself moves closer and forecasts become more accurate, the league may be forced to act.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) had been suggesting a maximum of 35 for Sunday, but other providers are now revising that upwards, with 38 in the afternoon according to Weatherzone and 37 on AccuWeather.
Should the forecasts hold true, the NRL will institute two water breaks – essentially turning the games into four quarters rather than two halves – and could even go as far as knocking the kick off time back on the earlier games.
As it stands, there is a near two-hour gap between the conclusion of the NRLW Grand Final and the kick off in the NRL Grand Final, with time allotted for the pre-game show, national anthems and retiring players parade, but all could be moved or sped up if it avoids extreme heat in the games.
The State Championship between the NSW Cup and Q Cup Premiers South Sydney and Easts Tigers is currently scheduled for 1.20pm.
Such changes are not without precedent: the World Club Challenge was moved back from an early evening kickoff to a night game to avoid extreme heat in February – and was, ironically, played amid a lightning storm – while two weeks later, the Bulldogs v Tigers match at Belmore narrowly avoided becoming the first regular season fixture to be moved due to excessive temperatures.
Tariq Sims is back with the Dragons – though on the other side of the world, having announced a deal with the Catalans for 2024.
The Fiji and Origin backrower, who had a late season renaissance with Melbourne after failing to make first grade squads at the start of the year, will move to the South of France on a two-year deal.
“I’m excited to add to the team my experience and what I’ve learnt over the past 13 years in the NRL,” he said.
“My desire to compete and challenge myself both on and off the field is motivating to me, and I believe being at the Catalans will do that.
“It’ll be a new chapter for myself and my family, but we are very excited for it.”
His announcement with Els Dracs dropped on Twitter last night, with the club leaning heavily into his surname with a video based on The Sims, the video game.
With the departure of Tariq, 2024 will be the first Sims-less season since 2003, when older brother Ashton made his NRL debut for St George Illawarra.
Since then, four Sims have played first grade: Ashton, Tariq, Korbin and sister Ruan, who made 12 appearances for the Jillaroos.
KenW
Roar Rookie
If they were playing Canberra or Auckland, that would be a fair advantage to Brisbane. But it's Penrith, I know which team dealt with more extreme heat in pre-season training.
Acrobat
Roar Rookie
PVL has overcome every obstacle including Covid since he took the reins. He will simply wind the temperature back 10 degrees on Sunday. Nothing is beyond him.
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
It really is set up to be a great game, it'll basically come down to who makes the least errors, both of these sides are primed to capitalise on any mistakes.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Yeah. It’s usually particularly cool at Penrith, most of the year. I think Brisbane will most likely win. Yet, just thinking that really hot weather is bound to affect the side with big forwards more .
blacktown leagues
Roar Rookie
I certainly hope the broncs are as cocky as you Stewy
blacktown leagues
Roar Rookie
I doubt if they are going to focus on one and leave the other open. Don't get me wrong Walsh is the most dangerous player on the field, but the Panthers will have systems in place to try and shut him down. Over the past few years, they have managed it against Walker and Mitchell. Now a new test but they will have a plan in place. Whether it works or not we shall find out Sunday night.
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
No one said he did, I was just pointing out that Penrith haven't had to handle both of them at the same time, for example, focusing on one and leaving the other open. And considering Brisbane beat Penrith without Walsh, handling him like you say might not be the key to victory that you think it is...
KenW
Roar Rookie
I don't know, there was a sudden death final in 2018 when Tariq scored a hattrick... Of course the Dragons beat the Broncs by so much that day they would have won without those tries so I guess it wasn't really clutch :silly:
KenW
Roar Rookie
In the same vein though the Broncos have never played this Panthers side in finals mode.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
Oh I see. I think we handled Walsh pretty well the second time we played; didn’t realise he needed Reynolds to ‘unlock him’.
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
Yeah, but they haven't played a Broncos side that has both Reynolds and Walsh in it...
London Panther
Roar Rookie
Didn’t they play them twice this year?
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
Nice weather, sounds like a Brisbane Friday night, Broncs to win...
langparker
Roar Rookie
That someone other than the NRL pays for, I assume? that’s the PVL style. Detailing the Sims NRL history sent a shiver down my spine at this time of year as a bronco fan, wasn’t it Ashton who coughed up the ball in a simple hit up that allowed Inglis to score a last minute winning try for Melbourne Storm when the broncos had them on toast to go into a GF they could easily have won. Never have been reliable in the clutch games, those Sims siblings.
Stewy76
Roar Rookie
The Panthers have never played THIS Broncos team Albo.. big shock coming for the Penrith on Sunday - a big shock.
Heyou
Roar Rookie
I had a WTH?! moment myself. :silly: Sims to the other Dragons mob will extend his career and provide an adventure for the fam. I believe he will do very well there.
Horses for Courses
Roar Rookie
I would say most teams have a positive record against the Broncos at Suncorp over the last 4 years.
Ad Tastic
Roar Rookie
LOL!
Albo
Roar Rookie
Panthers go well at Suncorp. Won a Grand Final there already and won the last 4 games against the Broncos there. It just wouldn't be fair on the Broncos to move this GF there ! :silly:
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Is that a cue for V'landys to demand a roofed-in, air-controlled stadium?