Following on from last week’s confirmation that the Melbourne Rebels Round 2 Vodafone Super Rugby AU match against the Queensland Reds would be played in NSW due to the spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria and in order to respect the regulations imposed by the Queensland Government, it is today confirmed that this match will be played at Brookvale Oval on Friday 10 July.
Today’s announcement comes following an assessment of several venues throughout metropolitan Sydney, contemplating participant and community health and safety, venue affordability and broadcaster feedback as key priorities.
Melbourne Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson was pleased to provide clarity albeit bittersweet to not be able to play the match at AAMI Park.
“We are very excited about next Friday’s contest with the Reds and we are looking forward to bringing Super Rugby back to Brookvale. It is quite an unusual concept to be playing a home game in NSW, but we know that the rugby fans on the northern beaches love the game and between Reece Hodge, Bill Meakes and Matt Philip there are a few players in our squad who will be familiar to the crowd and also assist the team to feel right at home.
“Naturally, we remain disappointed that we have had to relocate this match from our Stockade, but the unfortunate reality is playing this match in Melbourne wasn’t feasible due to the impact of COVID-19. We’ve seen the AFL and NRL competitions become similarly affected and the proportionate responses those codes have put in place, and like them, we are working as hard as possible to get back to Melbourne and back to AAMI Park as soon as health advice and government regulations allow.
"With socially distanced crowds able to attend professional sporting matches in NSW, a limited number of tickets will be made available for public sale from 12pm today starting from only $19 each. Tickets are due to be sold until the allocation is exhausted and must be purchased online in advance of the match.
“At this stage we are working on the basis that we will have the ability to have 3,500 rugby fans in attendance in line with the NRL game this afternoon. We hope that there are more than a few Rebels – or even Reds – fans in Sydney that will turn out. It’s sure to be a fast, physical and entertaining match.”
For more information regarding this fixture, please visit MelbourneRebels.Rugby
