It’s official – the Suncorp Stadium surface has been given the all clear ahead of Wednesday night’s crunch State of Origin game two clash.
Despite admitting the northern end of the ground would be slippery, venue officials on Wednesday deemed the track “safe and playable” after holding an inspection following concerns from both Queensland and NSW camps.
NSW officials admitted they were surprised with how greasy the surface was for Tuesday’s final training run.
And Queensland assistant coach Michael Hagan admitted the track was “not 100 per cent” during their Tuesday session.
Both teams were warded off the northern end of the ground at training.
While sunny conditions all day Wednesday were expected to alleviate problems, Suncorp Stadium officials admitted the northern end would still be a “little damp which will make that area a bit slippery and lead to some surface turf being ripped during play”.
“But the most important thing is that it’s safe to play on,” stadium general manager Alan Graham said in a statement.
Australia’s rugby union Test against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday night was plagued by players struggling with their footing, including when Kurtley Beale slipped while attempting what would have been a match-winning penalty goal.
NSW assistant coach Trent Barrett on Wednesday described the surface as worse than that at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, which has long been criticised for its slippery surface.
“It was pretty slippery actually – it was probably worse than Homebush,” Barrett said.
“We expected it to be a bit damp but not as damp as it was. Whether they’ve been watering it or not I don’t know.
“It won’t bother us, it’s the same for both sides.”
Hagan on Wednesday kept his fingers crossed that the venue surface would recover by kick-off.
“The surface is a little wet underfoot so it’s not 100 per cent,” he said.
“But it is certainly better than we thought it would be. I think by tonight it will be fine.”
Graham said the Australian Rugby League Commission were comfortable with the surface’s condition following the inspection.
Queensland must win game two to keep alive hopes of an eighth straight Origin series win.
NSW are aiming to become just the fourth Blues team to seal a series in Brisbane – and the team’s first overall since 2005.
