The NSW Waratahs are pressing ahead with plans to play defending Super Rugby champions the Crusaders on the patch-up Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday night.
In a development sure to be welcomed by long-term tenants the Sydney Swans, the Waratahs on Wednesday confirmed the SCG had been cleared for use against the Crusaders.
SCG ground staff had to replace large sections of the turf after it was destroyed during the Waratahs' win over the Queensland Reds two weeks ago.
The new surface stood up to the rigours of last Friday's NRL clash between South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters and SCG representatives and independent consultants have since deemed the field up to Super Rugby standards.
With neighbouring Allianz Stadium being demolished, the Swans are sharing their home ground with the Waratahs and Roosters for the foreseeable future.
AFL boss Gillan McLachlan is confident the SCG will not only be in condition for the Swans' first match of the season in Sydney against Adelaide on March 29, but also cope with the increased traffic in 2019.
"These stadiums are billion-dollar pieces of infrastructure and need to be used and I know they'll get it right for the Swans games," McLachlan said on Wednesday.
"Clearly the challenges for the team there will be greater with the increased volumes.
"We run Marvel Stadium now. I've got a bit of an insight to it and I'm always extending the challenge to the ground staff there that the venues are there to be used and their job is to get the turf right.
"I feel very confident and they've got a great ground staff at the SCG and I haven't heard any concerns that they won't get it right."
