Allianz Stadium officials have conceded Friday night’s swamp-like surface was unacceptable – with an investigation now open into the $828million venue’s drainage system.
Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson described the field as ‘one of the worst he had played on’, after 11.5mm of water fell 15 minutes before kick-off.
It left Eels and Roosters players drenched from the opening minutes, with large puddles of water quickly evident across the entire ground.
The surface at the two-year old stadium looked significantly worse than suburban ground Brookvale Oval on Sydney’s northern beaches, which also copped a deluge earlier on Friday night during the 6pm game.
‘Prior to kick off on Friday night, Allianz Stadium received 11.5mm of rain in 15 minutes as a severe storm hit the area resulting in a drainage issue during play,’ a Venues NSW spokesperson said.
‘This is a brand-new stadium and it shouldn’t have happened.
‘We are taking this seriously and have already commenced a thorough investigation to identify the cause to ensure the issue is rectified.
‘The review will be completed by the end of this week and further updates will be provided.’
Allianz Stadium officials have conceded Friday night’s swamp-like surface wasn’t up to scratch – with an investigation now open into the $828 million venue’s drainage system (pictured, workers with pitch forks 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 versus Warriors match (pictured, Manly lock Jake Trbojevic)
Ground staff have a fortnight until the next footy fixtures at Allianz Stadium – an NRLW-NRL double-header on September 1.
The ground is also set to host at least one NRL finals match next month.
Allianz Stadium is built with a gravel and sand layer beneath the turf to assist with drainage.
However Friday night’s issue appeared to be at surface level, given the age of time it took for the water to soak into the grass.
The initial turf at the stadium in 2022 had come from Windsor after flooding in the region, prompting concerns about silt levels which has the potential to impact water flow.
But it is understood the turf at Allianz Stadium was relayed again last summer, following a series of off-season music concerts at the Moore Park venue.
It comes as the tax-payer funded facility was lashed by footy supporters online for not including basic drainage found at suburban sporting parks after the venue turned into a waterlogged disaster on Friday night.
Sydney was hit with a heavy weather system overnight that included lightning and flood warnings.
And the deluge exposed the allegedly lavish Allianz Stadium, fans were not impressed.
Spencer Leniu of the Roosters scores a try by sliding through a huge pool of water at Allianz Stadium on Friday
‘A brand new facility costing over $800 million shouldn’t get like that. Drainage was non-existent,’ one viewer posted.
‘Who transferred tonight’s NRL game between Roosters and Eels to Allianz Aquatic Centre? All that money and they forgot to put in drainage,’ added another.
‘Needs to be dug up completely and have appropriate drainage installed, the fact the water sat there all game when it wasn’t raining means something is seriously wrong there, taxpayer money paid for that s***e.’
The players slipped and slid through the muck for the entire match with the Roosters ultimately prevailing 38-14.
Parramatta skipper Clint Gutherson was fuming at the state of the surface.
‘It was one of the worst fields I’ve played on for a while, especially with the fields these days as they’re normally pretty quick…..and I didn’t think it rained that much,’ he said.
‘It was hard to play in….we didn’t know it was that bad until we got out there and your feet were fully underwater.’
It wasn’t just a case of sour grapes from the losing side either, with Roosters opposite James Tedesco 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 was looking great…. and then we got a bit of a downpour and it was soaking wet.
‘It sort of got drier as the game went on but in the middle (of the field) there wasn’t much bounce and it was pretty slippery.
‘It was tough conditions.’
Many footy fans pointed out that Four Pines Park, better known as Brookvale Oval, also had a deluge dumped on it – but drained off perfectly.
‘Brookvale Oval had the same amount of rain…yet the surface was immaculate,’ one fan said.
@AllianzStadium @VenuesNSWcan you please explain if this is mismanagement or poorly installed drainage. Brookvale Oval didn’t have an issue, nor did my backyard.’
Fox Sports analyst Yvonne Sampson also lashed the poor Allianz playing surface.
Parramatta skipper Clint Gutherson said it was one of the ‘worst fields that he had played on’
Roosters skipper James Tedesco is tackled as mud and water fly up from the surface
This is [supposed to be] a state of the art stadium…..Brookvale [Oval] didn’t look like that,’ she said.
Fellow commentator and former Brisbane Broncos star Corey Parker agreed.
‘It’s certainly not the conditions that you would expect at a stadium like that after so much money was spent on the upgrade,’ he said.
‘I understand there was a fair downpour, but it just looks diabolical.
‘In 40 minutes, that [rain] did not go away whatsoever.’
