Sydney's "stadiums war is sizzling again" as National Rugby League clubs "search for some certainty over the state government's commitment to redevelop ANZ Stadium," according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. Several Sydney clubs are reportedly "keen to hold talks" with ANZ Stadium execs and the NRL "as they look to turn up the heat on the state government and ensure they honour their pledge to turn the ground into a state-of-the-art rectangular venue." The latest developments come "only days after leaked documents suggested a cost blowout" at ANZ Stadium -- a move which was "viewed in some quarters as a scheme to place fresh pressure on the state government to redirect funds to Allianz Stadium." It is understood at least one club has reached out to NRL Head of Government & Community Relations James Boland-Rudder, the chief of staff for former Premier Barry O'Farrell, who played a "crucial role" in securing the A$1.6B commitment from the state government to spend on Sydney stadiums. The NRL has taken a "neutral view." Any "change of tack" by the state government would have "significant ramifications for clubs across the Sydney rugby league landscape." Canterbury and South Sydney "stand to be the greatest beneficiaries out of the existing situation given they both play out of ANZ Stadium on a permanent basis" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 6/27).
