Wests Tigers And Cricket Nsw - Potential Clash
The opening round clash between the Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday 16th March could be in jeopardy should NSW finish first in the Pura Cup Cricket competition.
Two matches have been scheduled by the Wests Tigers at the Sydney Cricket with the first one against the Dragons, which the Magpies have had a long history against clashing four times in Grand Finals during the Saints remarkable 11 successive Premierships reign. The second clash is against Souths in Round 6 (April 18-21) for which Balmain has an intense rivalry with including the controversial 1909 and 1969 Grand Finals - the first one never happening with Souths being award the Premiership and the second being the equal greatest upset in a Grand Final alongside the 2003 upset victory by Penrith over the Roosters.
The problem for the Wests Tigers and the NRL is the long-standing contractual arrangement Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW have with the Sydney Cricket Ground, which gives both the Australian and New South Wales Cricket teams' first preference to use of venue until the end of March.
Should NSW qualify first in the Pura Cup they will be within their rights to host it at the SCG unless the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust strikes a deal to allow the historic NRL clash to take place with the Pura Cup Final being moved to either North Sydney, Bankstown or Newcastle. This is of course if NSW finish top of the Pura Cup, which they are currently placed, but they haven't hosted a domestic first class Final since 1993/94 with their two recent wins happening in away Finals - both against Queensland at the Gabba.
The NRL and Wests Tigers have obviously showed plenty of confidence in the NSW Cricket team managing to squabble their way from top position and fail in hosting the Final. But should NSW finish top in the Pura Cup than either a deal has to be struck or the NRL and Wests Tigers will be forced in moving the clash to Telstra Stadium, which is the Wests Tigers primary home ground.
Wests Tigers officials would be expecting a crowd of around 35,000 at the SCG whereas the crowd at Telstra Stadium would be flat out reaching 20,000 such is the historic importance to the clash due to Rugby League's 100th birthday celebrations in Australia.
On the other hand, the Pura Cup competition barely attracts a single soul at the major venues whereas the country and local club venues seem to attract the larger crowds.
The NRL and the SCG Trust have locked in the Round 1 clash for Sunday 16th March at the Sydney Cricket Ground where the sale of tickets and corporate boxes is already underway whereas the two teams in the Pura Cup Final and venue won't be decided until a week before the Final commences. However, a clause in the Cricket NSW contracts gives them first preference of the SCG for the month of March ahead of all other organisations.
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