The Canberra Raiders are concerned they could be forced to play home finals in Sydney if their crowds remain capped at 25 per cent.
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They're hopeful Canberra Stadium's capacity could be increased to 50 per cent - in line with what the NSW government will do for most Sydney venues for the NRL finals, which start in two weeks.
The ACT government will use this weekend's games as a trial to see if further increases will be permitted as they prepare to release their events protocol next week.
Currently, Canberra Stadium's capacity has been capped at 25 per cent for not only the Raiders' clash against the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday, but also the ACT Brumbies' Super Rugby AU grand final against the Queensland Reds on Saturday night.
The Raiders need to win just one of their remaining two games - with the second against Cronulla at Kogarah next Saturday - to ensure they earn a home final.
They're also still in the running for a top-four finish.
Given the NRL takes control of venues for the finals it will be up to them to work with the ACT government on Canberra Stadium's capacity for the play-offs.
But with NSW venues set to have an increased capacity, Raiders chief executive Don Furner was concerned it could lead to finals being moved from Canberra to Sydney.
"The NRL might consider they could get a bigger crowd in Sydney. It's their game, not our game," Furner said.
"They might put us somewhere else. It's in their power to do that. We wouldn't like that because we want to play at home, but it's their gate.
"If they can get 15,000 in Sydney versus 6000 [in Canberra] it might be better for their bottom line. I don't know.
"But hopefully it doesn't come to that. Hopefully we can get an increased crowd. Even 10,000 would be great."
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Technically, Canberra Stadium's capacity is set at 1500, with ACT chief health officer Kerryn Coleman deciding whether that can increase ahead of each event. This weekend it's been set at 6000.
"The ACT government is continuing to work with large sporting venues, such as [Canberra] Stadium, on a staged return to crowds in a COVID-safe manner," an ACT government spokesperson said.
"As part of this, we are trialling a crowd capacity of 6000 people ... for the Super Rugby grand final and Canberra Raiders match at [Canberra] Stadium this weekend - which is 25 per cent of the venue's capacity.
"The chief health officer will carefully consider the outcomes from these trial events this week and this will inform any decisions made around future exemption requests for bigger crowds at [Canberra] Stadium that we may receive.
"The ACT government is in the final stages of developing an events protocol, which will outline how public or private events can be held with more than 100 people in a COVID-safe manner. We expect to be in a position to release this protocol next week."
NRL ROUND 19
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors at Canberra Stadium, 2pm.
Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Semi Valemei, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Jordan Rapana, 5. Nick Cotric, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Ryan Sutton, 16. Hudson Young, 17. Corey Harawira-Naera. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Matt Frawley, 20. Matt Timoko, 21. Sia Soliola.
Warriors squad: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2. Adam Pompey, 3. Adam Keighran, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Hayze Perham, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 8. Lachlan Burr, 9. Karl Lawton, 10. Isaiah Papali'i, 11. Jack Murchie, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Jazz Tevaga. Interchange: 14. Wayde Egan, 15. Adam Blair, 16. Eliesa Katoa, 17. Tom Ale. Reserves: 18. Josh Curran, 20. Paul Turner, 21. Gerard Beale, 22. Rocco Berry.