Tim Sheens believes the NRL should reconsider playing matches in extreme heat as players suffered through one of the code’s hottest weekends on record.
Sheens’ Wests Tigers and Canterbury battled through sweltering conditions in the Bulldogs’ 26-22 win at Belmore Oval on Sunday, with the temperature at 32 degrees Celsius at kick-off.
It prompted the NRL to enact a heat policy, with drinks breaks midway through each half, a 20-minute half-time and extra trainers carrying water on field.
However there was no move to push the match back, as Sydney endured four days of temperatures above 30 degrees in March for the first time in 165 years.
“That’s for the league to consider,” Sheens said when asked if the game should have been delayed.
“We talk about the welfare of all the players with everything else. We’ve had to graduate them back to training because of the World Cup.
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“Then we stick them back on in these conditions.
“I think you get the feeling of my view on it, but I am not going to make a public statement on it.”
Similar questions were asked by Canberra coach Ricky Stuart of the players’ union in round one, who was miffed as to why there was no objection to his team being asked to play a 4.30pm game in Townsville.
Sunday’s NRL match was not the only sporting event in Sydney, with an AFL clash between Greater Western Sydney and Adelaide played in the early afternoon at Homebush.
The NRL has shown through the COVID-19 pandemic that it has the flexibility to move matches at late notice.
In those instances crowds were not a factor and the NRL was still able to fulfil a Sunday afternoon match for free-to-air broadcasters Nine.
The NRL also pushed back the start of pre-season matches this year, but in that case there was again no free-to-air hurdle to clear
Other sports such as the A-Leagues have previously opted to delay the start of games during the summer due to heat.
Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo was unconcerned by the NRL’s decision to play the match in such stifling conditions.
“We knew we were playing at these times all pre-season, so we trained at these times,” Ciraldo said.
“We prepared the best we can for it.”
Conditions were even worse for the NSWRL-run NSW Cup match on before the NRL, which kicked off at 1.35pm (AEDT) with the “feels-like” temperature at 38 degrees.
Players were left distressed while a ground announcer regularly reminded fans to be sun safe and see medical professionals if required.
A catering staff member needed assistance after fainting in the corporate area of the suburban stadium.
-AAP
