Dragons oppose scheduling change bought on by World Club Challenge
Steve Mascord
12 Oct 2010
ST GEORGE Illawarra say they oppose South Sydney dumping them from next year’s Charity Shield as the premiers battle a scheduling nightmare brought on by the World Club Challenge.
The Dragons are due to take on Wigan at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium on Sunday, February 27 – but they are also due to meet South Sydney the night before at ANZ Stadium.
Last year, South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson said if the joint venture won the ’09 competition, he would simply find someone else to play in the Charity Shield.
St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust says he would oppose that happening in 2011.
“I would have thought the history of the Charity Shield is wrapped up in it being the Dragons against the Rabbitohs, isn’t it?” Doust said.
Richardson was reluctant to speculate on what may happen regarding the pre-season showpiece which regularly attracts 25,000 or more fans - but admitted replacing the Dragons remained an option.
Because the champs are contractually required to be in the UK 10 days before the Wigan game, their Mercury Challenge match against Canterbury will also be affected.
It's understood this has been noted by ANZ Stadium officials, who have floated the idea of Souths playing Canterbury in the Charity Shield on February 26 - which would leave Canberra without an opponent that weekend.
But Doust said he would hate to see the Charity Shield not be part of their program in 2011.
“We do have some issues to resolve as a result of this joyous opportunity to play in the World Club Challenge,’’ Doust said.
The Dragons play Melbourne at Members Equity Stadium, Perth, on February 13, most likely Harlequins at the Stoop, London, on February 20 and then the WCC in Bolton.
It’s possible the Dragons may try to squeeze in the Charity Shield by splitting their squad in some way, bringing the fixture forward to February 20 and having half their top 25 in London and half in Sydney.
"We've had some very preliminary discussions with the Dragons and the Rabbitohs about the the fixture clash, but no decisions on the Charity Shield have been made at this point," said ANZ Stadium spokesman Kyle Patterson.
"Clearly, the Dragons need some time to work through the many variables at play including pre-season preparations, international travel and the impact on the trials generally, so we'll await advice before exploring the options in detail."
