Rugby league broadcasters Andrew Voss and Greg ‘Brandy’ Alexander have called the Old Trafford pitch ‘dangerous’ in a recent podcast discussion following the Super League Grand Final.
The commentators, known for their work in the NRL, turned their attention to the Grand Final as the Australian season had already concluded. In the match, Wigan defeated Hull KR in front of the largest crowd since 2017, which saw Castleford Tigers face Leeds Rhinos at the iconic venue. Despite this thrilling game, Voss and Alexander focused on safety concerns regarding the field.
They highlighted the small in-goal areas, which require teams to adjust their strategies. Teams often avoid kicking in attacking positions due to the limited space, fearing the ball might go dead. The broadcasters also pointed out the drop at the edges of the field, which poses a greater risk in rugby than in football.
Voss remarked on the podcast, “How dangerous is Old Trafford? A player scores a try and slides down the gully. It’s surprising no one gets seriously hurt at Old Trafford. It’s not built for rugby league.” This concern arose after Bevan French’s try, where he managed a controlled slide but noted that such outcomes are not always guaranteed.
Alexander added, “We had a house full yesterday watching the game, and the discussion centered on the in-goal areas. I explained that they are playing on a soccer ground, which is why the space is so limited.”
Voss further elaborated on the challenges, saying, “Typically, fields are flat, but at Old Trafford, you drop almost a meter down. It’s like tipping over the edge of a cliff. Remember Brett Morris? It happened to him in the 2013 World Cup when he disappeared down the slope. Luke Lewis also dislocated his shoulder hitting the fence at St Helens.”
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