The Queensland State Government closing their borders has finally forced the NRL to postpone the 2020 season.
Despite the best efforts of the governing body to persist with the competition amidst the coronavirus pandemic, ARLC chairman Peter V’landys and CEO Todd Greenberg confirmed this evening that the NRL have called a halt to the season after two rounds.
“Due to the rapid rate of infection, we can no longer guarantee the safety of our players. Accordingly, we are suspending the 2020 NRL season,” V’landys said.
No timeframe has been put on the competition’s resumption.
V’landys confirmed the NRL had been considering playing the season in one location in Queensland, but today’s announcement from the State Government made that untenable. By making a decision today, he said, it also allowed the Warriors to return home to New Zealand – something they may not have been able to do had the decision been delayed.
He reiterated the financial pressure the code will come under with games cancelled, but stressed the game of rugby league will survive.
“It’s catastrophic, I don’t think we’ve ever come across a financial crisis like it.
“You can’t understate it, it’s probably the biggest challenge the game will ever face financially.
“Rugby league will always survive in some way but I can’t guarantee it will in the same way. We’re ready for the worst.”
Greenberg flagged that, while players will still be paid even as NRL staff are sent home and asked to take leave, they will likely be asked to take pay cuts during the lay-off.
“We’re talking about rugby league but we’re talking about a much broader issue in our community,” Greenberg said.
“We can still pay the players, but the cost base will need to be reset. From players to clubs, central administration.”
The move comes a day after the AFL postponed their season until May 31 at the earliest, leaving the A-League as the last of the country’s major sporting competitions still running, although the FFA is set to make an announcement on Tuesday morning.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Result changes if Mundine just passed the ball….
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Obviously different kettle of fish, but as a one team town support and financial backing is spread further and should have more opportunity for survival.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: Well done, always impressed meeting an author. takes a lot, no matter the genre or outcome.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
What makes these “8” so damn special?
Mike Gordon
Roar Rookie
Dunkan, that took me right back to that day. I was so elated at half time when we had it in the bag and so depressed and in sheer utter disbelief at the gall of those Melbournaliens winning for the first time and against St George. I’d just moved to a new town and watched that promising game with some new mates. They didn’t want to know me after that. I was catatonic.
Big Daddy
Guest
I liked the TV coverage where they showed all the empty seats. I'm sure I saw one with my name on it.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
What's the best the 2020 NRL season ends up as a four week knockout in September, FA cup style! Round of 16, 8, 4, 2.
Mercy
Guest
Marco Agree. Assume all the prophets of NRL doom are hoping for a Govt handout. Even if the NRL restarted say next year surely it could restart as a State based comp or something less grand and rebuild. The broadcasters would pay less money and they would still get content but NRL wont collapse just look different with lower salaries. where else are they going to go. Warriors may have to stop for year or 2
Jacko
Guest
Less than any club is paying players not to play
Marco
Guest
About time they suspended the season. The government needs to cancel all promised sports handouts, money for centres of excellence, stadium rebuilds etc and absolutely refuse selfish requests for money from wastefull organisations like the NRL. This is serious and money needs to be spent on far more important issues.
Walter White
Guest
I would sooner have the guy I don't trust in my corner than against me.
scrum
Roar Rookie
"League players such as Frank Burge, Dally Messenger, Howard Hallett, Ray Norman, Sandy Pearce, Con Sullivan, Dally Messenger, Bob Craig, etc all great league players, kept on playing or coaching league during a difficult time while other fit and able men went off to the War". Do you not see this is in fact a condemnation of Rugby League.
Nick
Roar Guru
Roughly the same. They let 400 staff go today.
TRhing-me
Roar Rookie
Rugby league should continue playing providing they take the necessary steps to safeguard the health of their players. League continued being played during the Great War when all the other sporting codes called it a day. League players such as Frank Burge, Dally Messenger, Howard Hallett, Ray Norman, Sandy Pearce, Con Sullivan, Dally Messenger, Bob Craig, etc all great league players, kept on playing or coaching league during a difficult time while other fit and able men went off to the War. The NRL should have put them into quarantine so the competition could continue.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
So the non-Sydney clubs save money how exactly?
Big Daddy
Guest
I guess Uncle Nick and the Frizelle s will have to sell a lot of new cars in the next 12 month's.
Big Daddy
Guest
Sydney's 2 biggest leagues clubs have huge turnovers . Penrith turnover for 2019 was $145 million with a loss of $300 K so it will be interesting re their finances. Canterbury in 2018 was over $100million with $6 million profit . Does anyone know what their 2019 turnover and profit was. ???
Eden
Guest
Can the damage be so catastrophic that existing structures and powers can be re-written and open a window of opportunity to redefine the annual set up of the competition? Maybe all those articles we write about second division, expansion, conference etc. can finally have a chance to come true!!
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Thanks mate. That story comes out of a book I wrote, which came out last year - check it out here http://bit.ly/TiTuesAustAmaz
Big Daddy
Guest
And Annesely stays on while the rest go on holidays. Not sure what he's going to add.