Waratahs boss Andrew Hore has vowed that a deal to play three Super Rugby matches at Western Sydney Stadium next year will be only the beginning for rugby in the city's west.
NSW Rugby is hammering out the fine print on its plan for the next three seasons but Hore said the intention was to keep Western Sydney Stadium in the rotation every year while the Waratahs' eastern suburbs home ground, Allianz Stadium, was rebuilt.
Home cooking: The Waratahs have announced some host venues to cope with Allianz Stadium's looming demolition.
Home cooking: The Waratahs have announced some host venues to cope with Allianz Stadium's looming demolition.CREDIT:AAP
"Our intention is to have a consistent presence, it's not a one-off," he said.
"There's an agreement in principle that it will go for longer but we're just going into the long form now."
What is locked in is one of the first games to be played at the 33,000-seat facility, which sits on the banks of the Parramatta River and will boast the steepest seating in the country.
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The Waratahs will host the Sharks there in round 11 on April 27, a date that will not make them the first team to play at the stadium but certainly an early visitor. They will also host the Jaguares there in round 15 on May 25 and the Brumbies in round 17 on June 8.
That leaves five more home games, three of which will be played at the SCG, Fairfax Media understands. The final two will be at suburban Sydney grounds and a regional stadium, with announcements due soon on both.
School holidays could hamper the Sharks crowd at Western Sydney Stadium in April and the Brumbies game will be on the June long weekend. But Hore said he was confident western Sydney would embrace both the new stadium and NSW Rugby's long-overdue move out there.
"People look at the current administration and think they've stuffed western Sydney but the problem's been brewing for 25 to 30 years," he said.
Replies
I understand the Wanderers will have a larger capacity due to the safe standing are behind the goal posts, so this could be the reason behind the 33,000 capacity
Wonder how much they are paying per game?
I’m thinking everyone has been offered the same price which suits the Tigers and Waratahs , however full time tenants not so much . Hence Gernies point about getting a better price due to a bigger commitment . Pity they don’t take the same attitude when it comes to fans who show greater commitment in buying memberships when they’re performing like shit .
I can't imagine any NRL or ARU side agreeing to over $200k per game. I really can't. I'd love to know how much the Waratahs and Tigers agreed on.
I dont think so Wiz, the waratahs can play their games elsewhere and its only a short amount of games.
Parramatta are taken for granted.
Fair call.