The NRL will shift 12 clubs into southeast Queensland for at least a month to escape NSW amid an alarming increase in the number of COVID-19 cases over the weekend.
All NSW and ACT-based clubs will be moved into three dedicated hubs in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast by Wednesday, while Melbourne and the three Queensland-based clubs remain in their home cities.
Games will be played out of Suncorp Stadium, Cbus Stadium or Sunshine Coast Stadium, while the exact location of each team is expected to be finalised on Monday.
Over the next 48 hours, clubs will scramble to finalise their bubble roster of 41 people including players and staff who will be flown on a chartered flight into Queensland.
The call came after an emergency ARLC meeting on Sunday as coronavirus case numbers across the weekend reached 127 in Greater Sydney, with a warning that cases were expected to be more than 100 on Monday.
It triggered a swift response from the NRL, which has moved to prevent the suspension of the competition.
“The commission has conducted an extensive risk assessment and it is clear from the current data trends that the risk to the competition is too great to continue playing in NSW right now. We are seeing close and casual contacts with links to our game on an almost daily basis,” said chairman Peter V’landys.
“Queensland presents much lower risk.
“The commission is doing everything we can to keep the competition going. By keeping the competition going we keep people employed and ensure the players continue to be paid at their current rate.
“Rugby League is also an escapism for people during difficult times and it’s important we do everything we can so our fans can continue to watch rugby league every week especially whilst in lockdown.”
It’s understood there will be considerations made for families to join the hubs over the next month, which would be a huge relief for players considering the sudden move.
Cronulla coach Josh Hannay said he was yet to speak to his players about the relocation but would be supportive of any who decided to remain at home for family reasons.
“I wouldn’t assume that situation arising, but I also don’t know,” he said after Sunday’s 20-12 win over the Warriors.
“If that was the case then you could understand.
“There’s so much uncertainty around at the moment, and obviously family comes first. There are going to be some delicate conversations going on over the next two or three days. We’ll support every player with whatever decision they make.
“We’ll get to work tomorrow and we’ll have a thorough discussion around what the future looks like. For the players, they need to have some big discussions with their families. They’ve got to go home tonight and digest all this.”
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
There is no hard border lockdown between NSW and QLD at this stage, Victoria has already stopped entry from NSW. My guess is that come Thursday when the NRL have arrived that the border will be closed to NSW.
Anna_B
Roar Rookie
Military wives don't see hubby for months. Entitled wag sooks should stay home IMO
Larry1950
Guest
Not at all keen on the families of these players being allowed to relocate up here in our neck of the woods, if the NRL clubs have shown they have little authority or influence over their playing staff, what chance they can control WAGS & kids. If clubs need to relocate a playing squad with support staff, that will be difficult enough to manage but add in another 100-200 people per club & it’s a disaster waiting to happen, remember some of the WAGS probably feel more entitled than their partners with the social media profiles they have built from being on the arm of a footy player. Gold standard Gladys has continually bagged the labor led states for their actions on outbreaks & her inability to see and act on the obvious has fed hubris in NSW, she still can’t utter the infamous L word, just using the pseudonym ‘stay at home orders’ in recent media conferences. With apologies to the tricolours, chickens are coming home to roost & I’d prefer they roost in NSW.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
"Rugby League is an escapism for people in difficult times" Really !!
Nat
Roar Guru
I know it's a major inconvenience but they are water front on the Sunshine Coast in a resort that has everything. I'm sure they'll survive.
Anna_B
Roar Rookie
They’ll have to employ security. Perhaps they’ll spread teams between GC, Toowoomba, Roma, Mackay, & other regional areas. Shame they cannot be sent to a huge cattle station in the middle of nowhere Plenty of military families have had to deal with someone in a warzone for months. And they don’t get paid a lot for their job. Nice to know most players take it in their stride. It’s the wives with kids that complain most. At least a footy player isn’t at high risk of being shot
Norm
Guest
Well how the wheel has turned. Remember how smug V'landys was when the AFL had to move to Queensland last year? Kama
Popavalium Andropoff
Guest
Can't see this going well. Last season enough AFL players breached the bubble in south east Queensland and Perth, just imagine what the NRL players will do - it'll make what the Dragons players did look like the Teletubbies.
Crow
Roar Pro
Wow I was taken back by the NRL announcement however I can see why the have acted. The Covid 19 situation has escalated and the NRL have acted accordingly. We are fortunate to have sport and in particular Rugby League to watch and enjoy and I am grateful for the sacrifices of the athletes and their respective clubs. Hopefully thing improve in NSW and normality can be restored ASAP.
Strickland
Guest
Who cares. Just have a best of 3 between Melbourne and Penrith and call it a year.
Walter Black
Guest
Next Weeks game against the knights had better be in Melbourne or I am going to go ballistic.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
Where's all the money coming from for this? In any event, I'm not sure how Queensland selects itself. We're all up here in the Greater Brisbane Area bound by a bunch of rules because of COVID problems in this area. Masks are mandatory, old blokes like me are discouraged from getting around, and the government QR has to be used even to go into a public toilet block. I'm not kidding. It happened to me last week in Brisbane's CBD. How this translates into a lower risk, I don't know. Anyway, good luck to the NRL. They're doing their best. And our Premier will subscribe to anything involved with a bread and circuses policy. The big problem will be getting players to abide by the rules.