Sunday afternoon's National Rugby League game at Allianz Stadium "was almost called off with fears for the safety of spectators after an advertising board from the upper tier of the grandstand fell into the seating bowl," according to Michael Chammas of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The signage fell almost 10 meters from the top deck of stadium grandstand about 90 minutes "before kickoff in the Sydney Roosters' 32-18 victory against the Wests Tigers in front of the second smallest crowd in the NRL era." While gates were open and spectators had entered the venue, "most of the patrons were under cover and away from the vicinity of the advertising board given the torrential rain (almost 250mm since Friday night) and strong winds around Sydney." NRL officials, who had already postponed the prior U20s game, "were concerned about the safety of fans and considered postponing the match with 90km/h wind gusts before kick-off." However SCG Trust officials "gave the green light for the game to continue after a thorough inspection of all stadium signage, with 3,622 fans braving the miserable conditions." The previous lowest crowd was at Suncorp Stadium in '99 when 3,362 fans "turned up to watch North Queensland take on the North Sydney Bears" (SMH, 6/5).
