More tickets for the forthcoming Invesco Perpetual Series at the Millennium Stadium go on sale at Rodney Parade Ticket Office today as brand new pitch is being laid at the venue in time for the international matches against South Africa, Canada, New Zealand and Australia next month.
Millennium Stadium officials decided to take decisive action regarding their pitch ahead of the autumn games which kick off with world champions South Africa on November 8.
An investigation by independent consultants has confirmed the turf on the Millennium Stadium pitch has been affected by a condition called Root Knot Nematodes which causes gradual deterioration of the grass quality.
The Root Knot Nematodes condition is normally treatable, but the timescale necessary for a full recovery has led to a decision to replace the turf with new grass.
Root Knot Nematodes is a parasitic condition found in soil which attacks grasses and crops and can develop under certain climatic conditions.
Millennium Stadium officials invited independent consultants to examine the pitch after noting the grass quality was weaker in patches than the high quality of recent turfs.
Although the pitch remains safe and playable for top class sport there is a clear indication that treatment would not lead to a full recovery in time for the Invesco Perpetual Series.
The Millennium Stadium Manager, Gerry Toms, said:
"An examination by independent consultants has confirmed the presence of the Root Knot Nematodes parasite at a level which will cause future deterioration of pitch quality unless it is treated.
"The treatment process would take a number of weeks to eradicate the problem so we have decided to immediately remove the affected turf and replace it instead.
"The nature of this condition means that over the weeks ahead the grass quality would decline while the treatment was becoming effective. Clearly the window for recovery would be too small for the autumn games.
"Root Knot Nematodes attack the root growth so as it spreads causes the surface of the pitch to weaken.
"This is simply one of those circumstances which requires a quick resolution and I am satisfied we have acted decisively and effectively. The recent pitches we have used at the stadium have all been premium quality so it is a shame we have suffered this problem.
"We are fortunate to have a removable pitch so we were able to take the option of getting a new turf cover to replace the old one. It will have time to bed in before the first autumn game and we will be free of any concerns about whether the treatment is working."
A new pitch is normally installed by placing the pallets in position and covering the area with soil before rolling out a new grass cover.
The action now being taken will only involve replacing the turf while the pallets and soil in place will remain. When the contaminated turf has been removed the soil will be treated to eradicate any remaining parasites before the new pitch is laid.
In the past there have usually been three full pitch changes each year at the Millennium Stadium, but innovations and improvements in care and careful organisation of major events have meant that only two changes now normally take place. Because the current replacement only involves new turf the cost will be a significant reduction on a full renewal.
Tickets for the Invesco Perpetual Series at the Millennium Stadium are available from the Rodney Parade Ticket Office at £40 £50 £55 and a limited amount at £20. Please call in or telephone 01633 674990 to book.
