Etihad Stadium chief Ian Collins has said he's confident the venue's controversial surface will be fit to accommodate the three matches it's scheduled to host this weekend.
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| Photo: Getty |
Etihad Stadium chief Ian Collins has said he's confident the venue's controversial surface will be fit to accommodate the three matches it's scheduled to host this weekend, including Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup Test between the Wallabies and All Blacks.
The playing surface has attracted unprecedented criticism from the AFL, its clubs and the AFL Players Association which has warned against playing finals at Etihad Stadium in September.
Watch for coverage:
Australia v New Zealand, Tri Nations, Etihad Stadium, 9.50pm, Saturday
Coverage starts 9.00pm, SKY Sport 1 and Rugby Channel.
Collins said new measures have been put in place following a review of the surface prepared for last Friday night's AFL match between Hawthorn and St Kilda.
The surface will be top-dressed weekly and there will be regular hollow coring of the turf similar to what occurs at the MCG.
"We are totally committed to ensuring the stadium not only meets the rigorous standards set by the AFL, but that the surface conditions are improved to reduce the incidence of slipping," said Collins.
"We are determined to find a solution that satisfies the issues raised by the AFL Players Association."
Collins said the stadium owners would carefully consider a request from the AFL that no major events be staged at the venue in the lead-up to the 2011 AFL season to preserve the playing surface.