NRL concerned with SCG surface in lead up to round one

The NRL is concerned with the playing surface of the Sydney Cricket Ground in the lead up to round one, according to a report by the Daily Telegraph.

Sydney Roosters and South Sydney will clash on Thursday night at the SCG, however, the turf may not be up to league standard.

Red coach Brad Thorn expressed his disappointment in the surface in Saturday's Super Rugby clash. And the Daily Telegraph has revealed that an emergency meeting will take place between the members from the Roosters, Rabbitohs, NRL and SCG Trust to discuss the matter.

A statement from the SCG Trust conceded that certain parts of the ground were damaged on Saturday.

“Turf at the eastern and western ends of the field was compromised during Saturday night’s Super Rugby match,” a SCG Trust statement read.

“A combination of late rain before kick-off in areas of the field dominated by the winter rye grass contributed to damage at scrum time.

“The new turf is of the ready-to-play variety and will be available for a Roosters training session on Wednesday.”

South Sydney head of football Shane Richardson expressed his concern over player welfare.

“It was very, very ordinary," he told the Daily Telegraph.

“There were clumps coming out everywhere.

“It wasn’t pretty.

“We want to have a look at it.

“It is just safety for both teams, not just us.”

Richardson said the club would do their due diligence in the lead into round one to ensure the ground was up to scratch.

“There are three things you can’t play without. You can’t play without a football, a referee and a ground,” Richardson said.

“So the bottom line at the end of the day is that we just have to make sure the ground is up to standard, and we will do that in conjunction with the Roosters and Annesley and make a decision after we have a look at it.”