After training on the SCG twice over the last two days, the Sydney Roosters have given the troubled pitch their tick of approval.
The Roosters will call the famous ground home for the next three years while Allianz Stadium is redeveloped and will have their first outing there against near neighbours South Sydney in Friday’s NRL round one clash.
All eyes will be on the turf after deep divots and pot holes were dug up during last week’s Super Rugby clash between the NSW Waratahs and the Queensland Reds, prompting the SCG Trust to re-lay 3000 square metres of grass.
Work was completed on Tuesday and the Roosters trained on the ground on Wednesday and during Thursday’s captain’s run.
The Roosters have maintained they are not worried about the ground’s safety because of the difference between rugby union and rugby league scrums.
“They’ve done an amazing job,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.
“There was the stuff at the start of the week but we had it happen twice last year on Allianz where they replaced the turf.
“We’re really confident about playing on that surface. The turnaround was pretty quick as well.”
Concerns about safety aside, the SCG will present problems for sides and their ability to get their bearings.
Because the oval-shaped grandstand is configured for cricket and Australian rules, instead of rectangular like almost all rugby league grounds, it is expected to prove difficult for kickers as they seek to identify corners and the touchline.
Waratahs skipper Michael Hooper recently said the slope of the ground had also put him off.
To get more familiar with the ground and in effort to absorb its history, the Roosters squad camped overnight in the SCG dressingrooms and Robinson has invested time and energy in making sure his charges feel at home.
” There’s two things – there’s the shape and there’s also a new ground, getting familiar with blades of grass really,” Robinson said.
“That’s the opportunity that we’ve had. That’s why you want to get out there.
“We’ve not only trained out there, done different things out there to know that that’s our home.”