The middle third of the Parramatta Stadium playing surface will need to be replaced before Saturday night’s NRL clash between the Eels and Manly is allowed to go ahead.
The move comes as a result of complaints from Penrith coach Ivan Cleary, who suggested the “disgraceful” surface played a role in the broken leg suffered by Nathan Smith in last Friday’s win over the Eels.
ARL Commission general manager of football operations Nathan McGuirk inspected the pitch along with RLPA boss David Garnsey and representatives from both Parramatta and Manly, where the remedial measures were agreed upon.
More than 2000 square metres of turf will be re-laid.
“The problem with the surface has been caused largely by weather and it has affected the ground’s ability to recover from the matches earlier this year,” McGuirk said in a statement.
“It wasn’t really until Friday night that it became apparent that the surface was not holding up as it would in normal circumstances.
“Given that there was no way we could see it recovering in time for this week’s game it was important that action was taken.”
McGuirk said the situation was not unique, and did not anticipate any problems with the the new surface being able to withstand the rigours of a match so soon after being laid.