Crowds return in time for seasons

The Brumbies especially, with the Super Rugby team to play their second-round clash against arch-rivals NSW Waratahs at Canberra Stadium Saturday week.

Barring disaster, it will be the same story for the Raiders when they kick off their NRL season against the Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium on March 14.

Both Canberra Stadium and Manuka Oval will return to near-full capacity when the ACT government announces an easing of restrictions on Friday.

A ticket can be sold for every seat, while standing room still has to adhere to the one-person-per-two-square-metres rule.

Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson was excited to have the crowds back, especially to face the Waratahs.

But he also saw it as an opportunity for the Super Rugby AU champions to showcase rugby union with the other major football codes, AFL and NRL, yet to start their seasons.

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Thomson said Canberra's track record with the coronavirus meant near-full crowds would be safe.

"We have a window of opportunity there with not much other sport being played at the moment," he told The Canberra Times.

"This is our time where we can get people engaged with the game.

"There is going to be great coverage on Nine and Stan of rugby, but we still want to get people at the ground. That's the big thing.

"Canberra is a pretty safe environment to get to a stadium to watch a game.

"It's a good place to come and watch footy and we want a big crowd against the Waratahs.

"Getting a good crowd there for next Saturday night for the first game against the Waratahs is fantastic for everyone.

"We can get people into the stadium to cheer them on."

The Raiders were similarly excited at the prospect of the return of crowds.

Especially given their success over the past two seasons - having made the 2019 grand final and last year's preliminary final.

There's plenty of anticipation ahead of the upcoming season with a raft of players returning from injury.

"We'll be very excited to be able to offer full capacity to members and fans, and we'll await the announcement," a Raiders spokesperson said.

Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos said the return of crowds would help build the sense of community.

"We had to lower our standard, playing in front of no crowds and reduced crowds," he said.

"I'm sure from a players perspective and from the states and clubs, they want to be able to have their fans and supporters in the ground.

"It's a revenue-generating opportunity, and more importantly it's just bringing that sense of community together."