‘It is our home’: Souths want to move matches to Allianz Stadium next year, but the Roosters insist it will always be their home

As the Rabbitohs fight to have home matches moved to Allianz Stadium next year, Trent Robinson reminded footy fans that the state-of-the-art venue is the true home of only one NRL club.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson says there are a number of teams who play out of Allianz Stadium, but stressed that doesn’t make the famed Sydney venue their home.

Their fierce rivals South Sydney are looking to make the move from Olympic Park to Moore Park as early as next year and have opened negotiations with the government.

The Rabbitohs are locked into an agreement to play their home games at Accor Stadium until 2030, but club bosses met with NSW Premier Chris Minns on Wednesday to try to get out of the deal to play matches at Allianz Stadium.

Souths officials signed the Accor Stadium agreement under the assumption that government money would be spent on improving the Olympic venue, but that hasn’t happened, with the club now exploring a move back to Moore Park to play at Sydney’s best venue.

Roosters signage at Allianz Stadium suggests the venue is their home.

The Waratahs and Sydney FC also play their home matches at Allianz Stadium.

But the Roosters have made it clear that it’s their actual home - with the club’s centre of excellence located inside the bowels of the venue with a big sign outside saying it’s their turf.

Souths used to play their home games at the old Allianz Stadium but moved to Olympic Park in 2006.

“I think they decided to move away from their area. And I think being loyal to our area has served us really, really well,” Robinson said.

“But I understand that stadia is a different beast and it’s a business, so I can understand that would be on the agenda at some point.

“I think people rent this ground all the time, but it just won’t ever be their home.

“I don’t think that (sign) will ever be taken down. And it is our home. We’ve been here since 1908 and we haven’t left.

“There have been five grounds within 200 metres and this has been our home.

“You don’t talk about loyalty, you show it through action. And we’ve shown that for the history of rugby league.

“We understand that there are lots of different teams that will play here, but we know what this ground means to us.”

Latrell Mitchell is back for the Rabbitohs after missing the start of the season through injury. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

It’s fitting that the two foundation clubs meet at Accord Stadium on Friday night, with former Roosters premiership winner Latrell Mitchell returning from injury at centre where he hasn’t played a club game since the 2019 Grand Final.

The red mist can often cloud players when these teams clash, with Mitchell involved in a couple of fiery moments since switching clubs.

He’ll line up against youngster Robert Toia, with Robinson looking forward to the battle.

“It’s a good opportunity for some of our guys to play against Latrell,” he said.

“It’s a good challenge for the guys and they’re looking forward to it.

“Hopefully it (the red mist) turns into a fog.

“We’ve always had players that play on the line. You want them to go to that line and not over it, but sometimes they do. That’s what makes them unique.

“Our job is to make sure that ends up in our favour. That’s why we’re interested in watching.”

Originally published as ‘It is our home’: Souths want to move matches to Allianz Stadium next year, but the Roosters insist it will always be their home