Roosters doctor slams Allianz Stadium surface after Origin was played in ‘atrocious’ conditions

Experts have been called in to investigate the drainage system at Allianz Stadium, after the women’s State of Origin game was played in diabolical conditions.

Independent experts have been called in to investigate the ailing drainage system at the three year old Allianz Stadium after the turf was turned into a muddy pond on one of the biggest nights of the state’s sporting calendar.

Venues NSW conceded the drainage system at the stadium malfunctioned during Thursday’s Women’s State of Origin match, calling the mud strewn playing area and pools of water during the match “unacceptable.”

It’s understood the playing surface at the Sydney Cricket Ground next door on Thursday night was in good condition, with it's drainage working well.

It marks the third time the drainage system at Allianz has broken down, leaving the stadium turf flooded, despite the relatively new stadium opening to the public in 2022 following a major rebuild.

Experts have been called in to investigate the drainage system at Allianz Stadium after the pitch was left waterlogged in Game II of the Women’s State of Origin. Picture: Getty Images

Commissioned by former Liberal Premier Gladys Berejiklian and opened by her successor Dominic Perrottet, the new Allianz cost taxpayers $828 million, but it already faces calls from a prominent NRL doctor to “rip up the grass” before players are injured.

Sydney Roosters doctor Ameer Ibrahim, one of the most respected medical officers in the game, said the “ground is atrocious. Grass needs to ripped up and drainage improved. Physios will be busy.”

NSW Blues eventually defeated the Queensland Maroons in horrendous conditions 26–6.

Venues NSW said Allianz Stadium has a functioning drainage system but admitted that it didn’t work on Thursday night.

“The drainage system didn’t perform as expected and water pooled in areas of the field of play,” a Venues NSW spokesman said.

“This is an unacceptable outcome.”

NSW Sport Minister Steve Kamper confirmed the government would hire independent field specialists to find the cause of the drainage failure, saying “what is clear is that the actions taken to date have not been enough to rectify this issue”.

The Saturday Telegraph understands some fans at the ground noticed the surface at the Sydney Cricket Ground next door was relatively dry during the clash while Allianz was a mudpit.

Then Eels captain Clint Gutherson called the stadium’s surface “one of the worst fields” he had played on following a waterlogged match against the Roosters last August.

At the time, Venues NSW said they would begin an investigation to “understand the cause of the drainage issue to ensure it’s rectified for upcoming events”.

A Spokesman for Venues NSW admitted the drainage system didn’t perform as expected. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the government’s failure to fix the issue since then was an “embarrassment”.

He warned NSW will be left red-faced on the world stage if the government doesn’t fix the issue before Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds’ football club, Wrexham AFC, play their highly-anticipated match against Sydney FC at the stadium on July 15.

“(Player of the match) Olivia Kernick starred on a field that looked more like a slip’n’slide than a sporting arena,” Mr Speakman said.

“With Wrexham FC on the way, Labor’s failure to manage basic infrastructure will be in the global spotlight.”

Although the next NRL match won’t be held until June 1, The Saturday Telegraph understands the Waratahs, who were due to play the Crusaders on Friday night, have been concerned about the deteriorating state of the surface for some time.

While Friday night’s game against the New Zealanders went ahead as planned, contingency plans are being enforced, strictly limiting access to the pitch to just players and match officials.

Venues NSW confirmed it will take advantage of the stadium’s limited match schedule in the next six weeks carry out the investigation.

Although the wild conditions copped plenty of criticism, spectators like Blues veteran Brad Fittler said the old-school clash was “fantastic”.

“It allowed the women to showcase where their skill level is at,” he said.

NSW Blues eventually defeated the Queensland Maroons in horrendous conditions. Picture: Getty Images

Roosters doctor Ameer Ibrahim also slammed the playing surface, calling for it to be ripped up so the drainage can be improved.

Ameer Ibrahim is one of the most respected medical officers in the NRL but he couldn’t hide his contempt for the Allianz Stadium surface as NSW clinched the Origin series on home turf.

The ground was covered in surface water after a downpour before kick-off, prompting Ibrahim to let fly.

“Ground is atrocious,” Ibrahim wrote.

“Grass needs to ripped up and drainage improved. Physios will be busy.”

It’s understood that the Waratahs, who hosted the Queensland Reds at Allianz Stadium last Friday and are due to play the Crusaders in Super Rugby tonight, have been concerned about the deteriorating state of the surface for some time.

While Friday night’s game against the New Zealanders will go ahead as planned, contingency plans are being enforced, strictly limiting access to the pitch to just players and match officials.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli weighed into the drama on Friday, saying it never would have happened at Suncorp Stadium, the venue where the Blues scored a 32-12 game-one win to start the series..

“My reaction is one of sorrow for the result for the girls, but as for the curator...” he said at a media conference to promote Queensland Day on the Gold Coast.

“That wasn’t State of Origin rugby league, that was State of Origin swimming.

“Now, that wouldn’t happen at Suncorp Stadium, so host more games here Mr V’Landys.”

Women’s Origin III will be held at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on May 29.

Originally published as Roosters doctor slams Allianz Stadium surface after Origin was played in ‘atrocious’ conditions