: Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:41 pm  

AndreaB wrote:

If they have to cancel this weekend because the pitch is not up to scratch then they should forfeit their friendly weekend and put the match back where it was supposed to go in the first place.

Whilst I agree with your priciple, I would be stunned if that happened given the RFL are using this friendly to attract fans to Harlequins Rugby League. There is talk of Harlequins V NRL champs being the warm up game to the WCC every year from now on (until we win a SL Grand Final that is).
I think that it will be played mid-week, which is unfair to everyone concerned, but more so your players and fans who had no control over this fixture change in the first place.
Let's hope it goes ahead. There is apparently a small army of volunteers from both codes currently shoveling snow off the plastic covers and the forecast for Friday night is no frost (2 degrees), so I think it will......

: Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:54 pm  

gutterfax wrote:

There is apparently a small army of volunteers from both codes currently shoveling snow off the plastic covers and the forecast for Friday night is no frost (2 degrees), so I think it will......

RL & RU working in harmony

: Thu Feb 05, 2009 5:24 pm  

I am shocked too.

: Thu Feb 05, 2009 6:23 pm  

Under the sticks wrote:

Hopefully the game will be on, weather is improving slightly down here so perhaps it won`t be a problem, the ground staff are working hard to keep the pitch in playable condition. I doubt there is any chance or appetite for the Manly game to be cancelled. As for playing mid-week.......from a fan`s perspective it is not a lot different to us having to travel north for Friday night games .......so you can see how that annoys us!!

Of course it's different if it's played on a Wednesday people will be at work on Thursday.

Weather Twickenham, : Thu Feb 05, 2009 7:09 pm  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=3787

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=3787

: Thu Feb 05, 2009 7:23 pm  

Mission wrote:

I don't think it's the travelling midweek that would be unfair on Bradford (although the number of Bradford supporters at the game would be seriously reduced), it's the impact on the team, asking them to play 3 games in a week so Quins can have a friendly. Maybe the game should be moved to the friday of the 'friendly' week, and Quins can still play their friendly if they want and Bradford would play their weekly game as normal.

Of course, let's hope this isn't an issue and the game goes ahead as planned!

is the mid season international a mid week or weekend game this year? If its a weekend one then that would be logical weekend to re-arrange this fixture to if necessary, with a block on any bulls/quins being called up for the international.

: Thu Feb 05, 2009 7:31 pm  

Mission wrote:

I don't think it's the travelling midweek that would be unfair on Bradford (although the number of Bradford supporters at the game would be seriously reduced), it's the impact on the team, asking them to play 3 games in a week so Quins can have a friendly. Maybe the game should be moved to the friday of the 'friendly' week, and Quins can still play their friendly if they want and Bradford would play their weekly game as normal.
Of course, let's hope this isn't an issue and the game goes ahead as planned!

That's what Halifax did last year they played Melbourne on the Friday night then their scheduled game on the Sunday.

: Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:13 pm  

Having rung the Harlequins office today, the main problem they told me would be the snow melting and then freezing over and making the stand unsafe.

Maybe we should all bring a bag of sand with us

Throw it where we choose to walk once in the stadium.

: Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:17 pm  

That just makes me think is it worth risking the trip when we won't find out till 9am if the game is on

: Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:45 pm  

From our official site

Harlequins v Bradford Bulls - Preview
Brian McDermott speaks ahead of Sunday's Super League opener against Bradford Bulls. Plus injury news.
Related Multimedia
After the heaviest snow fall in over a decade, Brian McDermott says he is very happy with the preparation his team have made ahead of Sunday's match at the Stoop.
"We haven't let the weather effect us, and we've been able to do a lot this week to prepare fully for our first Super League fixture of 2009.

"The starting line up should look something like it did against Halifax, but the biggest question for everyone is what the bench will look like once I've decided on my 17 man squad. I didn't have to make those decisions for our warm-up games, but I'm actually really looking forward to settling on 17 players and giving them a longer run out.

"The players are all really looking forward to it, and we couldn't wish for a better opponent to open against, with Bradford having such an illustrious history."

Injury News

Daniel Heckenberg (shoulder) should return with 2 weeks

Dave Williams (quad strain)

Matt Gardner (back)



The pitch is now free from snow, and is receiving constant attention. There will be a pitch inspection at the Stoop on Saturday morning. If the game is cancelled, announcements will be made through the usual channels.