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Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'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
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ryan Papenhuzyen's worrying Origin setback as Billy Slater handed triple blow
Ryan Papenhuyzen endured a rollercoaster night in the Storm's 42-2 upset to the Dolphins with Billy Slater watching two Queensland hopefuls leave the field injured. Melbourne raced out to a 14 point lead at Suncorp on Friday evening with NRL fans expecting the frontrunners to put on another huge total like they did against the Warriors last week. Despite losing Harry Grant before kick-off, Papenhuyzen was once again proving to fans why he could be the NSW Origin fullback in 2025 having scooted from dummy-half to finish a Storm move and score a try. Melbourne's attack looked lethal once again as they were 16-2 up with plenty of time to build on their attack. However, it all went wrong for the Storm in the second-half after Isaiya Katoa put on a masterclass. the 21-year-old recorded five try assists and outshining Jahrome Hughes in the halfback battle. And while Papenhuyzen started off looking like a potential Blues star, he was left wanting on a number of occasions in the final 40. In one telling moment, Blues coach Laurie Daley would have noticed Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow embarrass Papenhuyzen for a try. The Dolphins fullback out-jumped Papenhuyzen in a one-on-one battle, before offloading to Ray Stone for his second try of the evening. Earlier in the Dolphins onslaught, Katoa caught Papenhuyzen out of position at dummy-half as he put through a grubber as the Storm fullback raced across the field to stop Kodi Nikorima. And while Papenhuyzen and the Storm were once again solid in attack, it was there defence that let them down. "It seems to be a bit like that," Bellamy said. "It is a big concern to just rely on your attack. We have been aware that our defence hasn't been as good as we'd like it to be. I'll have to look through it to see where the problems are … and see where we can improve next week." And Daley would have taken notice of Papenhuyzen's defence in the shock Dolphins defeat after a telling moment against potential Queensland rival Tabuai-Fidow. Hammer just posterised Papenhuyzen omg — George (@g73636) April 18, 2025 NSW are completely spoilt for fullback optionsEdwards is a machine, Tedesco, has he ever played better, and what a comeback Papenhuyzen has made, electric every week, would not look out of place.... #NRLDolphinsStorm — RugbyLeagueIsTheNameOfTheGame (@RugbyLeagueHARD) April 18, 2025 While the Dolphins would have been thrilled with their record win over the Storm, Queensland coach Slater would have been watching a number of selection hopefuls go down injured. Before the game,coach Bellamy confirmed Grant had injured himself in the captain's run on Thursday and he was expected to miss up to six weeks. The 27-year-old is now facing a race to be fit for Game 1 of Origin in an enormous blow for Slater. However, Slater's night as a coach got worse. Dolphins forward Max Plath, who was firming for a position in the Maroons squad, suffered a foot injury. He is expected to miss up to six weeks. And in a final blow, Jack Howarth was all but ruled out of Origin selection. Howarth was firming as a potential utility for Slater after his barnstorming start to the season. Although the young star left the field clutching at his shoulder in the 17th minute. "He will be (out for) an extended time but if he has an operation it will be the season I think," Bellamy said. "I think he will try and rehab it and go from there. I don't think it was out for too long so that is a plus, but we will see what the medical team think. They are thinking to rehab it and try him again." Grant's injury means Slater may be forced to promote Broncos No.6 and regular Maroons No.14 Ben Hunt to the starting position. He could also look at selecting Bulldogs No.9 Reed Mahoney after a strong start to the season.
