The Group Nine draw has just been released and already the season is off to a shaky start.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There are doubts over the availability of grounds in Wagga in time for the April 7 kick off.
Wagga Rugby League requested a delay to the start of the season to ensure Equex Centre could be resown and still ready for round one.
However that was rejected by clubs when the draw was confirmed by eight votes three.
It means Equex Centre is expected to be off limits for the first three rounds, plunging the season opener between Brothers and Kangaroos into doubt.
The date has also put into question Wagga’s ability to host the under 18 country championships next year as well as the Hardy Shield and other pre-season games.
Group Nine president Jack Morton believes the ground will be used on March 10 for the All Stars match.
With that timeframe in mind, Wagga Rugby League president Warren Barclay will discuss the situation with council to work out the next step.
“It is not good for us,” Barclay said.
“We will need to liaise with council as they need to oversow the ground and you can’t start until the weather starts to die down in the beginning of March and it is a five to six week grow time.”
Equex Centre was off limits to start last season after the iniital resowing of the ground failed to take.
Harris Park was used instead but with increased cricket commitments the timeframe for both grounds is now nearly identical.