The NRL has had a major breakthrough with Queensland Health clearing it to resume play with a triple-header at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Less than 12 hours after being forced to postpone Saturday’s three matches due to a lockdown in south-east Queensland lockdown, the NRL was given the green light to continue.
Saturday’s games will now go ahead on Sunday, before a double-header at the same ground on Monday night for the games originally scheduled for Sunday.
It comes after the league put forward a plan to Queensland Health to resume, with all players under stringent restrictions.
Players will be tested daily for COVID-19, while there will be compulsory staff for all players and officials not playing as well as reduced personnel at games.
“Our games will be played under the toughest protocols since the competition resumed on May 28 last year,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
“These protocols further minimise the risk of community infection.
“We’ve proven over the last two years that we can play safely and the additional measures agreed to tonight will further enhance that.”
Under the changes, Penrith and Melbourne will now be the 4pm Sunday game broadcast on the Nine Network and Fox, while Newcastle face Canberra at 1:50pm and St George Illawarra clash with South Sydney at 6:25pm.
Canterbury will then face Gold Coast at 6pm on Monday night, before Cronulla and Manly clash at 8:05pm.
Crowds will be banned at all matches.
Crucially, the NRL is confident that even if the Queensland lockdown extends beyond Tuesday in the south-east, it will be able to continue the season.
AAP understands talks have already began with the state government on being able to play with no crowds in the Brisbane region.
Moving into other regions is also an option, with officials at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium putting their hands up to host matches.
Victoria or even regional NSW could represent other options, with brief discussions held with the former on Saturday.
Challenges would, however, remain with players’ families remaining in quarantine on the Gold Coast, potentially creating issues if the competition is shifted elsewhere.
“Every option is on the table,” V’landys said.
Officials had been caught off guard when Queensland Health announced a ban on professional sport on Saturday, expecting only a lockdown.
That shocked players and staff, with South Sydney already on a plane to Rockhampton to face St George Illawarra while other players were stuck in their hotels.
If further issues arise the NRL does have room to move in its schedule if games have to be pushed back or the competition is suspended, with the end-of-year World Cup unlikely to proceed.
You can check out the updated NRL fixture for Round 20 here on The Roar.
Walter Black
Guest
Thanks Andrew
andrew
Roar Rookie
Hey Walter, ch.9 & Fox are televising Penrith v Melbourne today and Cronulla v Manly on Monday night.
Tony
Roar Guru
Yes Walter - he has a clear head, knows what's required and how to get it. All without big noting himself.
Dionysus
Guest
Agreed, When I first heard of the postponement, I thought this will play straight into Penrith's hands. A chance to get their first choice players back.
Walter Black
Guest
do we know if / who is televising those Monday's games ? it would be awesome for me if they were FTA.
Walter Black
Guest
What I liked is that he didn't panic. He did what he needed to to secure the game then went into bat with the QLD government.
Walter Black
Guest
I did too. I don't have Fox nor Kayo and was all geared up for listening to the match on the radio. Now, I can tune in.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Peter Vlandys for PM! The best administrator in the country.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
A very happy Rugba League to you too PVL. We need this bloke on the Olympics committee for 2032. He just gets things done.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Pity there is disruption to Storm Panthers game but at least it is going ahead. Been looking forward to it for weeks.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Hopefully Tony his first job would be to sack our deputy premier Miles here in QLD.
andrew
Roar Rookie
At least we get to see the Storm v Penrith clash, i was sort of hoping Souths v Saints would be the 4 p.m. game . Sharks and Manly on Monday night, good stuff PVL :thumbup:
Tony
Roar Guru
Vlandys is a little doer, I've got to hand him that. I wonder how things would be, covid wise, if he was the premier of one of the eastern states?
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Channel 9 got a win out of this.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Great. Got to hand it to Vlandys.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Great result, well done to all involved. Don’t mind a bit of Monday night footy. Especially in lockdown