:shock::shock::shock:
THEY are the stadium developments that will make Sydney the envy of the sporting world and transform the city into a rugby league lovers' paradise.
Proposals for a radical redesign of ANZ Stadium - complete with transparent roof - and the construction of a brand new, 40,000-seat rugby league ground in the heart of Sydney's southwest could be the pay-off for supporting Australia's bid for the football World Cup.
In what would be soccer's greatest gift to rugby league, The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Campbelltown is favourite to become the fourth NSW venue to host World Cup matches if Australia's bid is successful for 2018 or 2022.
The new stadium would be built on the existing site of Campbelltown Stadium, just off the M5 and would provide a state-of-the-art home ground for the Wests Tigers.
It would seat 40,000 fans and the technology and comfort would be a world away from the conditions available to players and supporters at the current ground.
The Campbelltown proposal would go hand-in-hand with the redevelopment of ANZ Stadium, which is being earmarked as the jewel in the crown for Australia's World Cup bid.
A $150 million upgrade of the Homebush arena would see it transformed into a rectangular venue with retractable seating at each end of the field, bringing fans to within five metres of the action and increasing capacity to 90,000.
But the most spectacular alteration would be the addition of a huge transparent roof over the vast expanse of the arena, protecting fans from the elements but still allowing sunlight to bathe the field and stands.
While Campbelltown is presently the favoured location for the new stadium, Football Federation Australia and Events NSW are yet to determine exactly where the venue will be.
Blacktown is also being considered as a proposed site, as are Gosford and Wollongong.
The stadium would become the state's fourth World Cup arena venue, along with ANZ Stadium, the SFS and Newcastle's EnergyAustralia Stadium.
The development would provide NSW with four venues for rugby league capable of holding at least 40,000 fans and re-enforce the state's reputation as the true home of the code.
Adding to the delight of NRL fans is the fact that Greater Western Sydney - the new AFL franchise keen to get a foothold in Sydney's league heartland - is unlikely to consider playing at the new stadium because it will be designed as a rectangular arena.
At present, Campbelltown Stadium is run down and the existing grandstand is in desperate need of repair. The dressingrooms and press facilities are simply not up to modern-day standards.
A new stadium would allow the Tigers to play out of Campbelltown for decades to come.
The move also shows FFA is prepared to work with the NRL and that rugby league will not sabotage soccer's bid.
FFA CEO Ben Buckley and NRL chief executive David Gallop are due to meet tomorrow.
One well-placed source said: "You will find the stadium will be built in Campbelltown. There was some talk of Blacktown but Campbelltown is favourite."
Tigers director Ben Elias said footy fans in southwest Sydney have patiently waited for such a world-class development.
"The people of western Sydney deserve it," Elias said. "Right in the middle of Tiger territory - it would be fantastic. Western Sydney is where the people are.
"It would make a great home ground at Campbelltown for the Tigers, too. It will give us a home ground out there for years to come. I'm sure the NRL will be more accommodating to the World Cup bid than the AFL."
Last night, Gallop said he was unaware of any stadium plans for western Sydney. While Penrith chief executive Mick Leary said he hoped the new stadium would be built at nearby Blacktown - a Panthers junior league area - he stressed the club would remain at CUA Stadium.
"We would all love a new stadium but having said that, it is another thing to fill it," Leary said.
"But we wouldn't move from CUA. I would be loath to do that."
The ARU said last night it would consider playing Test matches in western Sydney - although the internationals would be against the world's second-tier nations such as Fiji, Scotland and Italy.
"We are always reviewing our Test matches and venue options," an ARU spokesman said.
"A world-class stadium in Sydney's west would come under consideration.
"Anything is possible."
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Who would have ever thought that Campbelltown would host a World Cup soccer match??? :lol:
The new Western Sydney A-league soccer team will probably have the new Campbelltown Stadium as their homeground. Also if the new Campbelltown Stadium is built, all of the Wests Tigers home games would probably be played out of Campbelltown \(^-^)/ Atleast more than what it is now.
And you never know, we might see the Australian Kangaroos play a game there!!!
