โIโm sure the NRL will take appropriate action at some point. What the Roosters choose to do is their choice.โ
The Rabbitohs host the Roosters at Allianz Stadium in round 27, but have no appetite to engage in similar antics.
The crowd floods onto Allianz Stadium after Alex Johnston scored.Credit: Getty Images
โWeโre better than that,โ Solly said. โAll I know is clubs who breach that manual, including issues like taking too long to convert a try, are routinely warned and fined without a complaint from a rival club. I can only hope itโs not one rule for 16 clubs and another for the Roosters.โ
The Roosters issued a statement on Monday, which read: โAs the hirer of the ground, the Sydney Roosters โ not Venues NSW โ are responsible for the delivery of match-day presentation at all our home games.
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โAt last Fridayโs round-two fixture, the Allianz Stadium scoreboard referred to South Sydney as the visitors, rather than displaying their logo.
โThis was consistent with the wording used during the Roostersโ corresponding home game against the Rabbitohs last season, and was implemented in good faith by the clubโs marketing department in recognition of the rivalry between the two clubs, which spans more than a century.
โIf this genuinely caused the level of concern suggested, we will cease doing so.
โThis approach was taken in the spirit of the rivalry, and the Roosters acknowledged and appreciated the jest shown at Sundayโs NSW Cup fixture at Redfern Oval, where the scoreboard referred to the Roosters as the โvisitorsโ.
โFriday night itself was a tremendous occasion for rugby league, with a capacity crowd at Allianz Stadium, great spirit shown by supporters of both teams, and a fitting acknowledgement of the historic milestone achieved by Alex Johnston.โ
Roosters prop Lindsay Collins was not a supporter of what his own club did on the scoreboard, saying on Sunday: โI saw it, but I wasnโt a fan of it, myself. It was lucky we won. I donโt like those sort of things. You have to be a good sport โฆ I donโt know who had control over there, but I wouldnโt have done it.โ
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