Wayne Bennett backs NRL's decision to go ahead with Dolphins-Rabbitohs match

Due to the impending impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred on Brisbane, the National Rugby League (NRL) has decided to move the Rabbitohs' game against the Dolphins from Lang Park in Brisbane to Accor Stadium in western Sydney. Wayne Bennett, former Dolphins coach and current Rabbitohs coach, stated that the NRL "made the right decision" with this move, prioritizing player and fan safety.

Despite this, there is some internal resistance within the Dolphins to the decision. Kodi Nikorima, Mark Nicholls, and Kenny Bromwich have chosen not to travel with the team to Sydney due to safety concerns for their families remaining in Brisbane. Alfred is expected to make landfall between Maroochydore and Coolangatta in Southeast Queensland on Friday afternoon, prompting widespread concern.

Nikorima's wife, Bree, posted a now-deleted message on Instagram, calling the NRL's decision to leave families behind during the cyclone "disgusting" in order to proceed with the game. Bennett declined to comment on his former players' decision, but he remains optimistic about the NRL's relocation choice, stating: "That's their (the Dolphins') problem, not ours. They (the NRL) made the right decision, which is important for everyone involved in the game: the fans, the TV stations, and everyone who supports the game."

Currently, Round 17 between the Rabbitohs and Dolphins will be rescheduled to be played in Brisbane at a later date, as a home game for the Dolphins. Meanwhile, the Australian Football League (AFL) has chosen to cancel its pre-season games in Brisbane and the Gold Coast rather than relocate the matches originally scheduled for Thursday and Saturday evenings, reflecting a more cautious approach.

Furthermore, the Brisbane Roar vs. Melbourne City A-League Women match, originally scheduled for Sunday at Perry Park in Brisbane, has also been postponed. Approximately 20,000 properties in the Brisbane area are facing flood threats, and evacuation centers have been established in northern New South Wales, demonstrating the severity of the impending weather event.