The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio has forecast a potential change to the annual pre-season Charity Shield match between South Sydney and St George Illawarra.
The Dragons and Rabbitohs have contested the Charity Shield since 1982 and for the last six seasons, the match has been held at Glen Willow Stadium in Mudgee.
However, South Sydney are one of the four teams headed for Las Vegas in early March to kick off the 2024 NRL season and given the tight rugby league schedule to begin the new year, the match is set to be relocated to Sydney.
“It’s a by-product of what will be an historic moment for the game,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Vegas is going to condense the pre-season quite tightly because of the need for South Sydney and the other three clubs to leave for the US and acclimatise.
“The Charity Shield is always that last hit-out before the season starts.
“It is on the move back to Sydney and it will either be held at Kogarah Oval or WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
“It’s the travel requirements. South Sydney are just a little nervous about the impact of getting back from Mudgee and flying out 24 hours later.
“It will be on the move next year.”
The relocation of the Charity Shield has reignited the debate surrounding the international and pre-season schedules.
Several coaches cited the Rugby League World Cup at the back-end of 2022 as a major factor in their teams poor start to the season.
The introduction of the Pacific Championship and the earlier start to the 2024 season has sparked fears of an interrupted pre-season for many players.
“It will be really interesting to see how this all plays out,” Riccio continued.
“We are seeing again just how short the preparation will be for some players next year.
“You have four clubs heading to the US, pre-season matches, the Maori and Indigenous All-Star fixtures and the Charity Shield.”
“It’s so congested,” SEN’s Greg Alexander replied on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“You will have players playing until the first week of November.
“It’s a lot of footy.”