The NRL has moved the clash between the Dolphins and South Sydney out of Brisbane, hours after the AFL postponed their opening-round Queensland fixtures.

The Dolphins and Rabbitohs were set to begin their season on Friday night at Lang Park, but the league announced on Tuesday afternoon that the match would be moved to Sydney.

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“The NRL has made the decision today to allow for the appropriate changes to be implemented and acknowledges and thanks both the Dolphins and the Rabbitohs for their approach and co-operation,” the league said in a statement.

Friday’s match will still kick-off at the scheduled time of 8pm AEDT.

The round 17 match between the two clubs, which was going to be a home match for the Rabbitohs, will now be a home fixture for the Dolphins. 

While the AFL has the ability to move its season-opening fixture between Brisbane and Geelong to round three, the NRL’s draw does not allow a similar solution.

The Dolphins and Rabbitohs do not share a common bye weekend this year, meaning there would have been no easy round for a match to be moved to.

The clash will mark Wayne Bennett’s return as head coach of South Sydney.

Bennett led the side from 2019 to 2021, guiding them to a grand final appearance against Penrith in 2021.

The former Canberra, Brisbane, St George Illawarra and Newcastle coach then became the inaugural NRL coach of the Dolphins in 2023.

His two-year stint ended in 2024, when it was announced he would be returning to the Rabbitohs, who finished a lowly 16th last season.

Meanwhile, the Brisbane Broncos have arrived in Sydney ahead of their Thursday night match with the Roosters. 

“Our thoughts are very much with the people of Brisbane – our Members, fans, friends and families back home in Queensland, as they prepare for the next few days ahead,” the Broncos said in a statement.

ABC/AAP