Souths set to face scrutiny over 100-minute game delay

“We’re reviewing the circumstances of the delay to the start of the game, and we will comment when the review is complete,” Solly said.

A medical emergency was initially thought to be the catalyst for the delay, after a spectator suffered a suspected heart attack in the lead up to the match.

An ambulance had to be called, with paramedics arriving and taking the woman to Gosford Hospital.

But, after those treating paramedics left, there were no on-duty medicos at the ground.

Home clubs are responsible for booking paramedics for matches, with NRL guidelines requiring an intensive care unit paramedic and one other.

The NRL attempted to make calls to NSW Ambulance requesting personnel for the game, but they were unable to guarantee one at late notice.

After a 30-minute delay, a plea was eventually broadcast over the stadium’s loudspeaker – asking for any intensive care paramedics in the crowd to come forward.

An intensive care paramedic and intensive care unit doctor presented themselves, with the NRL then weighing up whether the duo could cover the match.

Eventually the game was given the go ahead, following a series of calls involving NRL hierarchy, senior medical staff and head of football Graham Annesley.

If a booking oversight is found to have caused the delay, the NRL has the ability to issue the home club a breach notice and hand down a fine.

The episode comes after a similar issue occurred in the NRLW last year at a Parramatta home game.

When Saturday’s game did start, Manly were the better undermanned team.

Hopoate was influential in the lead up to both their opening tries to winger Willett, putting him over for the first and making a break on the play before his second.

Fellow winger Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega also forced his way over for two tries, with the first the result of a nice ball from halfback Jake Arthur.

Clayton Faulalo scored another, while hooker Jake Simpkin pressed his claims for the No.9 jersey in round one against North Queensland when he crossed from a 20-metre dummy-half run.

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Dodd played the first half and would have had an assist had his outside men not spilled a kick.

But the Englishman did have some influence when he returned late, putting Declan Casey into space for a Bayleigh Bentley-Hape try as the Rabbitohs put on a flurry of points at the death.

AAP