The NRL’s last-minute finals scheduling change had left Newcastle facing one of the NRL’s most gruelling trips on a shorter turnaround.
Newcastle will fly on an NRL-chartered flight to Townsville for their knockout clash against North Queensland after the last-minute finals scheduling change left them facing one of the NRL’s most gruelling trips on a six-day turnaround.
The all-Sydney blockbuster between Canterbury and Manly – predicted to draw a 50,000-plus crowd at Accor Stadium – is now scheduled for Sunday afternoon, shifting the Cowboys-Knights clash to Saturday night in Townsville. Newcastle have won just once in their past 12 trips to Townsville – including a golden-point loss in round two – dating back to 2012, and coach Adam O’Brien happily claimed underdog status after downing the Dolphins.
“I’m not too fussed, it’s the same team at the same stadium no matter the day or the time. Obviously it’s a bit hotter during the day, so the night game as a front-rower is probably preferable for me, but it is what it is either way.”Cronulla’s defeat of Manly locked Canterbury into sixth place and a home semi-final at Accor Stadium, delivering the NRL a financial windfall thatThe week one scheduling change does raise recovery issues in week two as well though.
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