Allianz Stadium officials have admitted that Friday night’s marshy surface was unacceptable, and an investigation has now been launched into the venue’s $828m drainage system.
Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson described the pitch as “one of the worst I’ve ever played on” after 11.5mm of water fell 15 minutes before kick-off.
The Eels and Roosters players were soaked from the opening minutes, with large puddles of water quickly visible across the pitch.
The two-year-old stadium’s surface looked significantly worse than that of suburban ground Brookvale Oval on Sydney’s northern beaches, which also suffered a deluge on Friday night during the 6pm kick-off.
“Prior to kick-off on Friday night, Allianz Stadium received 11.5mm of rain in 15 minutes as a heavy storm hit the area and caused a drainage issue during the game,” a Venues NSW spokesperson said.
‘This is a new stadium and this should not have happened.
‘We take this very seriously and have already launched a thorough investigation to identify the cause and ensure the issue is resolved.
‘The review will be completed later this week and further updates will be provided.’
Allianz Stadium officials have admitted that Friday night’s marshy surface was not up to par, and an investigation has now been launched into the venue’s $828m drainage system (pictured, workers with pitchforks during a break in play)
In contrast, the surface at Brookvale Oval on Sydney’s northern beaches held up well despite rain during the Sea Eagles’ game against the Warriors (pictured: Manly second row Jake Trbojevic)
The ground staff have a fortnight until the next football match at Allianz Stadium: an NRLW-NRL double-header on September 1.
The ground is also set to host at least one match of the NRL finals next month.
The Allianz Stadium is built with a layer of gravel and sand beneath the grass to facilitate drainage.
However, Friday night’s problem appeared to be superficial, given the time it took for water to penetrate the turf.
The stadium’s initial turf in 2022 came from Windsor after flooding in the region raised concerns about silt levels that have the potential to affect water flow.
But the turf at Allianz Stadium is known to have been replaced again last summer following a series of off-season music concerts at the Moore Park venue.
This comes after the taxpayer-funded facility was criticised by football fans online for failing to include basic drainage found at suburban sports parks after the venue became a waterlogged mess on Friday night.
Sydney was hit by a strong weather system overnight which included lightning and flood warnings.
And the deluge left the supposedly luxurious Allianz Stadium exposed and fans were not impressed.
Roosters’ Spencer Leniu scores a try by sliding through a huge pool of water at Allianz Stadium on Friday
“A brand new facility that cost over $800 million shouldn’t end up like this. There was no drainage,” one viewer posted.
“Who moved tonight’s NRL game between the Roosters and Eels to the Allianz Aquatic Centre? All that money and they forgot to install a drainage system,” added another.
“It needs to be completely excavated and have proper drainage installed, the fact that water has been sitting there the entire game when it wasn’t raining means something is seriously wrong there, that space was paid for with taxpayers’ money.”
Players slipped and slid through the mud throughout the match and the Roosters eventually prevailed 38-14.
Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson was furious at the state of the surface.
“It was one of the worst courses I’ve played in a long time, especially with today’s courses usually being pretty fast… and I didn’t think it would rain that much,” he said.
‘It was hard to play… we didn’t know it was that bad until we got there and our feet were completely under water.’
It wasn’t just a case of jealousy on the part of the losing side, as Roosters opposite number James Tedesco was equally shocked by the state of the playing surface.
“It was pretty crazy,” he said.
‘I mean when we got here two hours before the game, the field looked great… and then we got a little downpour and it was soaking wet.
‘It dried out as the game went on, but in the middle (of the field) there wasn’t much bounce and it was quite slippery.
“The conditions were difficult.”
Many football fans pointed out that Four Pines Park, better known as Brookvale Oval, also experienced a downpour, but the water drained away perfectly.
“Brookvale Oval had the same amount of rain… but the surface was immaculate,” one fan said.
@AllianzStadium @VenuesNSW Can you please explain if this is due to poor management or poorly installed drainage? Brookvale Oval had no issues, neither did my back yard.
Fox Sports analyst Yvonne Sampson also criticised the Allianz’s poor playing surface.
Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson said it was one of the “worst pitches I’ve ever played on”.
Roosters captain James Tedesco is tackled as mud and water fly from the surface.
“This is supposed to be a state-of-the-art stadium… Brookvale (Oval) didn’t look like that,” he said.
Fellow commentator and former Brisbane Broncos star Corey Parker agreed.
“It’s certainly not the conditions you would expect in a stadium like that after spending so much money on modernisation,” he said.
‘I understand that it rained heavily, but it seems diabolical.
‘In 40 minutes it (rain) didn’t go away at all.’
