NRL 2022: South Sydney to call Acccor Stadium home in 2023, but still plotting Allianz move
South Sydney have conceded that they will not be able to call Allianz Stadium home in 2023, but refuse to give up hope of one day joining the Roosters as cotenants.
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We’ve had a taste of Allianz Stadium – and now we want more.
A third successive sellout in front of crowds totalling more than 120,000 has only steeled South Sydney’s hunger to play out of the new Allianz Stadium. And Souths don’t care if that upsets their high-profile neighbours.
In a declaration certain to rile the Sydney Roosters, a defiant South Sydney say they won’t be denied in their bullish ambition to move from Accor Stadium to the new $850m Allianz Stadium.
And their push comes as Souths take a cheeky swipe at the stadium’s full-time tenants, Sydney Roosters.
“Contrary to what some people say and think, the stadium is owned by the people of NSW – not any one individual,” South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly said.
Two sell outs against the Roosters – in round 25 and then last Sunday’s qualifying final – and an estimated crowd of around 40,000 for this Saturday’s final against Cronulla – has only reinforced Souths’ desire to move east.
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Souths eliminated the Sydney Roosters from the NRL premiership race last weekend – and now they want to play at their home ground.
“Hopefully it’s the first of many great wins we have there,” Solly said.
Rabbitohs management has seen first-hand what Allianz Stadium offers and want to play in Moore Park if the Government continues to resist investing in Accor. It seems Souths supporters have also fallen in love with the new facility.
After weeks of negotiations with the State Government, it is becoming increasingly likely Souths will continue to play at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, for next season. This despite the Rabbitohs publicly push for a shift to the new $850m facility at Moore Park.
But Solly stressed his club won’t give up on the move and will again start the fight for 2024 if denied next season.
“If the Government doesn’t have plans to upgrade Accor then we will continue to fight to play in the stadium the taxpayers of NSW have just invested $800m in,” Solly said. “It’s clear from the first two games we have played there that it’s a great stadium.
“We know from the conversations we’ve had with our fans and members just how much they have loved visiting Allianz Stadium in the past two weeks.
“I was speaking to some of our ‘Burrow’ (supporters group) at training and they were still raving about the atmosphere the stadium created last Sunday and that it was the best since the 2014 grand final.
“Our fans and members are looking forward to a third straight week at the stadium and given the famous victory last Sunday, hopefully it’s the first of many great wins we have there.
“If the Government won’t invest in Accor then it’s only right that we are able to play games at the facility with the best experience for our members and fans.”
Souths are continuing dialogue with the State Government and Venues NSW about the possibility of moving next season but it now appears unlikely. The Rabbitohs want to quit Accor after the Government reneged – three times – on an $800m redevelopment of the stadium.
Ironically, by the end of this season, Souths will have played more games at Allianz than the Roosters.
“We are still in discussions with the Government and don’t know whether we will be in a position to finalise those discussions for next season,” Solly said.
“We are still waiting for the Sports Minister (Alister Henskens) and Venues NSW to give us any details about their long-term plans for Accor Stadium. We are very grateful for the intervention of the Minister and the progress that has been made.”
Allegation that caused Tedesco to lose his cool
– Brent Read
Roosters skipper James Tedesco has weighed in on the NRL’s milking controversy, insisting it is not in his club’s DNA or the spirit of the game.
Tedesco, who was knocked out of Sunday afternoon’s final after a high shot from South Sydney prop Tom Burgess, also revealed that he had resisted the temptations of Mad Monday to focus on his health, and spoke out in support of teammates Victor Radley and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
Tedesco was one of the most significant casualties of a wild elimination final at Allianz Stadium, a game which featured seven sin-bins and brought down the curtain on the Roosters season.
The game also put milking back in the spotlight amid suggestions that players were staying down to earn penalties. Tedesco refused to point the finger but conceded it wasn’t a great look.
“It’s definitely something we don’t do,” Tedesco said.
“I don’t think it is in the spirit of the game to stay down. We’re tough footy players, we run 100mph into each other, there will be contact and you get hit in the head, that is going to happen.
“The ref should be able to pick up — if it is foul play or a high tackle or a crusher. We should be good enough as a game.”
Tedesco said his memory of Sunday’s game was clear, although he was still feeling the effects of the Burgess blow — the Souths prop was suspended for two games after entering an early guilty plea to a high tackle charge.
“He got me pretty good,” Tedesco said.
“I was out for a bit. I don’t know if it looked as bad as it felt, but it was pretty solid. My memory isn’t too bad. I ran back in (to the dressing sheds) and was feeling all right, but once I sat down and did the test, it kicked in and I was rattled.
“I struggled on the test. The doctor told me not to go back out. It was a weird one. I was definitely out, then I wanted to get up quickly and I stumbled.
“Some of the other ones I’ve had I’ve been out and don’t remember much. I remember most of [Sunday’s] game. At least I can take a bit of a break now and try to get away from footy and relax.
“The doctors advised me not to have any beers, and I know personally that wouldn’t be good for me, for my recovery or health.
“Hopefully with the (World Cup) tour coming up I want to be fresh and healthy for that. If I need to wait a few days and have a few drinks at the end of the week with the boys, I’m happy to do that.”
While Tedesco’s afternoon against Souths ended at the hands of Burgess, Radley and Waerea-Hargreaves were among the slew of players who spent time in the sin-bin.
Tedesco staunchly defended the pair.
“Rads isn’t an aggressive person,” Tedesco said.
“He’s just so passionate and wants to win, and it comes out aggressively. His line speed, his defence, his brutality is what makes him such a great player.
“It’s a fine line, we have to be disciplined, and Robbo [coach Trent Robinson] said the other night we weren’t disciplined. That’s what killed us.
“Jared took a while to learn [the right balance of aggression]. Both those guys are our leaders, they know when they play like that it inspires us all.
“Victor is learning. He was much better this year, last year there were a few suspensions, he’s only young. He’s a hell of a player.
“I’m glad Jared and Rads are on our team. They’re bloody great to play with and inspire us when they come up with big defensive efforts.”
With his club commitments over, Tedesco’s focus now falls on the upcoming World Cup. He is expected to lead the Kangaroos to England, where Australia will start as favourites to win the tournament under Mal Meninga.
“I haven’t spoken to Mal about it,” Tedesco said. “I was focused on going deep with the Roosters. It’s been a long time since I’ve represented Australia. I only had a small taste in 2018 and 2019 and haven’t played in a World Cup for Australia.
“If the opportunity came up to captain Australia, that’s one of the highest honours you can have in the game. I don’t want to think about it too much because I don’t know what will happen, but it would be a massive [honour].”
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