St Helens host Leeds Rhinos tonight at the Totally Wicked Stadium and whilst all the talk pre-match centred around the fallout from the Challenge Cup Finals, there was a new topic on the mind of fans once the game started.
That was the state of the St Helens pitch at the Totally Wicked Stadium with numerous brown or bald patches inside the 20 metres at one end of the ground.
The season opened up with pitch controversy at Wakefield with the RFL being dragged in to give a judgement as to whether it was fit to play on.
That came after Catalans Dragons complained with numerous players being injured thanks to the artificial turf.
Well now the flack is on reigning Super League champions St Helens with social media quick to mock and question what was going on with the turf, or lack of it.
This pitch 👀 pic.twitter.com/FW0PXILzF5
— LoinersView (@loinersview) July 28, 2023
St Helens pitch looks like they've had Donkeys grazing on it.
— Sid (@Sidneykidney4) July 28, 2023
Some were more comical about it than others.
What the fuck’s going on with St Helens’ pitch?
— Viv Savage (@Viv_Savage_CFC) July 28, 2023
Others were far more blunt in their criticism.
What an advert for #rugbyleague The state of the Saints pitch! @leedsrhinos v @SaintsHelens
— Mr O (@Vindiesel5000) July 28, 2023
It was also suggested that it was a bad reflection on rugby league.
https://twitter.com/nico_1467/status/1685003557152423937?s=20
Another highlighted the fact that the Totally Wicked has recently hosted The Who for a concert.
I understand that teams need to utilise their stadiums for things like concerts to make more money. But when it damages the pitch like it has done at the Saints increasing the chance of injuring players you have to question if it’s smart to have concerts a week before a home game
— Michael Lavelle (@mikelavelle93) July 28, 2023
It was also addressed that the lack of money in the sport can cause teams to rent out their ground, but ideally not to the detriment of gameplay.
Either way it didn’t affect the home side as they raced to a 6-0 lead within the first 15 minutes.
