NRL superstars Greg Inglis and Latrell Mitchell could risk serious injury on SCG turf

One of rugby league’s most respected medical experts has expressed concerns that the haphazard SCG turf could lead to injury for NRL superstars like Greg Inglis and Latrell Mitchell.

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One of rugby league’s most respected medical experts has broken ranks to voice his concerns that NRL players including “big stepping” superstars Greg Inglis, Latrell Mitchell and Joseph Manu are at greatest risk of serious injury on the dodgy Sydney Cricket Ground surface.

As emergency work started on Monday to replace 3,000 square metres of turf ahead of Friday night’s opening round blockbuster between the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney, Dr Ameer Ibrahim told The Daily Telegraph he did not feel comfortable that the ground would be completely safe in time for kick-off.

While many others in the game seem on intent on not buying into the controversial debate that has become a political hot potato, Dr Ibrahim cited his recent independence as the reason he felt comfortable to comment publicly.

Dr Ibrahim worked at the Roosters for many years and was responsible for masterminding Cooper Cronk’s medical miracle in last year’s grand final before amicably parting ways with the club.

The SCG turf was chewed up during Saturday’s rugby match. AAP Image/Craig Golding.

“I have held back a little bit (in the past) but it is time to keep everyone on the straight and narrow,” Dr Ibrahim told The Daily Telegraph.

“I am not the Roosters’ doctor this year.

“I had been there 20 years. It was just a good way to go out (after last year’s grand final).

“But that aside, I just find with loose turf sometimes it slips and then it stops and that is just horrible when you put the weight on the knee in that position, particularly if you are stepping off that leg and the ground gives way.

“That is my concern.

“You get issues with high ankle sprains and then you can get issues with the medial ligament and worst case scenario ACL (knee injuries).

“If you are forward and you are going straight you tend to be protected a little bit more than the outside backs.”

The Sydney Cricket Ground Trust has assured the NRL as well as officials from the Roosters and Rabbitohs that the pitch would be safe come Friday night.

But Dr Ibrahim was not so comfortable after watching the turf torn to shreds in last Saturday night’s Super Rugby debacle.

Staff are scrambling to have the pitch ready in time. Picture by Brett Costello.

Dr Ibrahim initially took to Twitter on Sunday night after watching television replays of the match between NSW and Queensland.

He initially Tweeted: “I fear knee and ankle injury in Friday nights (sic) #nrl match.

The side and stick of the loose surface can increase (valgus) load and internal forces on knees. Hopefully new turf sticks.”

Reminded that Inglis was likely to run out in his first game after a summer of suffering from knee injury complications, Dr Ibrahim added: “It would be concerning for both teams, particularly with their outside backs and people who like to step a bit.

“It is the big steppers, not the little ones, the big steppers (at greatest risk), your Latrell Mitchells and Joey Manu’s that I would be concerned about.”

Asked if he would express his concerns to coach Trent Robinson if still employed at the Roosters, Dr Ibrahim added: “I think (Robinson) knows.

“He had his sport scientists out there (at Sunday’s SCG pitch inspection). I have no doubt they have talked about it.

“I will be sitting in the grandstand watching from afar (on Friday night) and hoping they get off to a good start. But I would be concerned from what I saw the other night with the Waratahs match, if it is still like that underfoot.”

With the SFS demolished the SCG will see plenty of action this year. Picture by Brett Costello.

But Roosters players led by Cronk, Mitchell and Manu said they had no fears for their

safety.

“The reason being the only issue that happened during the rugby game was the scrum and let’s be honest, rugby league hasn’t had a fully contested scrum for over 20 odd years,” Cronk said.

“The general play during the game was completely fine and rugby league won’t be having any scrums any time soon like the rugby union ones.

“Unless our front rowers or South Sydney want to start butting heads in the scrum I think the surface will be fine.”

Manu added: “I think it should be sweet. I think they are out there fixing it up now so I think it should be ready to go.”

Mitchell said he played on worse grounds as a junior growing up on the mid-north NSW coast.

“Touch wood it doesn’t bother me to be honest,” Mitchell said, as he touched a nearby tree.

“You go to Taree Rec Ground and you can’t play on a worse ground than that.

“It doesn’t really bother me to be honest.”

The Roosters are scheduled to have a training run on the SCG on Wednesday.