15-05-2025
'What a joke': Calls for investigation after $828m 'disgrace' in women's Origin
The surface at Allianz Stadium in Sydney has once again come under fire after atrocious conditions for Game 2 of the women's State of Origin series. Olivia Kernick was the hero for NSW, scoring two tries as the Blues wrapped up the series victory with a 26-6 win over Queensland on Thursday night.
But the game was marred by more complaints regarding the Allianz surface, after $828 million was spent to rebuild it in 2022. Sydney was hit by a downpour before kick-off, and there was more steady rain throughout the match.
But you wouldn't expect to see puddles and water all over the surface at a brand-new stadium that cost $828 million to renovate. Holding onto the ball proved very tricky on Thursday night, and water splashed up every time the players went to ground.
It marked the third time since Allianz was re-opened that the venue had been turned into a swimming pool during a match, and serious questions are being asked about whether the drainage at the stadium is adequate. The first time it occurred was last year during a game between the Eels and Roosters, and officials at the time insisted it wouldn't be an ongoing issue.
But we saw it again in Round 1 of this year when the Roosters took on the Broncos. Warren Smith said in commentary at the time: 'This surface, there will be an investigation again into this playing surface, after the dramas of last year.
'The flood, after a bit of a downpour during the early part of the game, the field was under water between the Roosters and the Eels in August last year. It hasn't been raining to that extent in Sydney to explain this surface."
Calls are growing for an investigation once again, with fans and commentators blasting the situation on social media. The surface was labelled "horrendous" and a "disgrace" by angry footy watchers on Thursday night.
'Obviously it's not the best conditions out here," said NSW forward Kezie Aps at half-time. 'So it's just the team who completes the holds the ball and completes each set that I think is going to win the game today.' While Channel 9's Emma Lawrence said at full-time: "They've done it in horrendous conditions, they're covered in mud.'
How in 2025, can we not have stadium with drainage to take a solid downpour
— 91 03 21 22 23 24 PREMIERS 🐾🏆 (@SnoogThe) May 15, 2025
Glad they built a brand new ground that doesn't drain! 👌
— Lisa (@74abilas) May 15, 2025
Do you remember the Roosters game around this time last year where it bucketed down and was the same with surface water. Awful, nothing has improved #Origin
— RugbyLeagueIsTheNameOfTheGame (@RugbyLeagueHARD) May 15, 2025
Allianz. Billion dollar stadium, 25 cent surface. Geez it's awful. #StateOfOrigin #RugbaLeeg
— Pete Oliver (@TheVoon) May 15, 2025
The ground at Allianze is an utter disgrace. Sydney has not had that much rain to justify sooo much surface water.
— Mr_Ives (@Mr_Ives_) May 15, 2025
Allianz stadium a disgrace!!! How can there be that much water on a brand new stadium!!!
— rod catz (@rodcatz) May 15, 2025
Couldn't agree more. Allianz should have had a retractable roof as should Suncorp…Funniest part is fans being told they would be undercover in all seats at Allianz stadium….what a joke that is…
— Duke25 (@Duke2517) May 15, 2025
Meanwhile, Kernick is the toast of NSW after the Blues forward powered her state to women's State of Origin glory. Controversially overlooked for selection in the Australian team at the end of last year, Kernick showed how wrong that decision was with a starring performance on Thursday night.
The lock forward scored two tries and set up another as the Blues inflicted more misery on the Maroons. The reigning NRLW Dally M medallist came to the fore in the dour conditions in front of 16,026 fans.
Kernick ran for 169 metres as the Blues claimed the series with one game to spare. John Strange's side can become the first to secure a women's Origin whitewash with victory in Newcastle on May 29.
"I had a feeling tonight she was going to shine, and I thought she led our forward pack really well," NSW captain Isabelle Kelly said of Kernick. "She opens up every space for everyone to be honest especially when she runs."
with AAP
