NRL shutdown: Two pre-seasons in one year a real possibility for rugby league players
When the coronavirus shutdown ends - and that day will come - rugby league players will face one thing they all universally despise before the action begins in earnest.
NRL
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NRL players will be sent home with individual training programs in an effort to maintain some level of fitness before the resumption of the 2020 premiership.
On Tuesday morning, NRL clubs will meet with playing groups and staff to establish a plan to navigate the uncertain future of the game after the premiership was suspended with no return date.
Players have been told not to return to training from Tuesday, and will remain away from their clubs indefinitely.
But whatever options they come up with, it’s unlikely the competition will be able to start without at least some warning.
An emergency meeting has been called with all 16 clubs and NRL officials, where they will look for ways to restart the competition.
However, it’s clear a mini pre-season will be necessary for players to be in physical condition to return to the field, regardless of when or how the competition resumes.
Speaking on Fox League on Tuesday morning, Melbourne Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy said players with families based interstate would be allowed to go home and will be given a training program to follow.
“There’s the opportunity for players to go home, spend time with their families,” he said.
“They’ve obviously been given a program to do their best with keeping fit ... those TRX machines will get quite a workout over the next period of time, I would imagine.
“It’s uncertain, they train in a certain way, work on a timetable, everything is prepared, everything’s ready to go to the sound of a bell for kick off. “That’ll be different, it’s taken away from them after two weeks but we’re like everyone else.”
Players usually have at least a three-month pre-season before play, and while preparations won’t need to be that long at least some notice will be given. “If the players go into a break right now, we’re going to have to have a mini pre-season,” NRL boss Todd Greenberg told Nine’s 100% Footy.
“We’re going to have to work on that with the RLPA and all our clubs.” Greenberg also said it was impossible to know when the game would be able to resume, with the sport only set to come back on the advice of a pandemic expert.
Players had remained in training until just before the decision to suspend the competition, but clubs were also unsure on Monday night how they could manage their players’ fitness.
“I have spoken to our high performance manager, but it’s very hard to plan for anything unforeseen going forward,” Canberra coach Ricky Stuart told Fox League’s NRL360.
“It’s very hard to plan for anything not knowing the length of the delay going forward, and how many weeks or months.
“It’s something now that will go into discussion with my staff. And hopefully having more understanding tomorrow on how much time they look like having.”
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson said the club would also give players individual programs, but will meet with club physiotherapists on Tuesday to organise rehab treatment for players who are already dealing with injuries.
The NRL premiers have several players on the books who could be impacted in their recovery, including young centre Billy Smith who suffered an ACL injury in the pre-season.
“What happens with his program over the next couple of months to rehab him? The world can’t just stop for his knee, and his progression back to health,” Robinson told Fox League.
“The physios will discuss that. There’s a mental health aspect, we’ve got a clinical psychologist on board so he’ll start getting around to each player to discuss their individual issues.”
Robinson revealed the Roosters were in a meeting to finalise the self-isolation for up to 100 players and families on the Central Coast, starting on Sunday, when the news of the shutdown broke.
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WHAT FORCED THE NRL TO MAKE THE CALL?
The NRL had still hoped to push on with the competition until as late as Monday afternoon before being advised against it by a pandemic expert. The growing number of cases in Australia sparked significant fears that the safety of players could no longer be guaranteed if they stayed on the field. Queensland’s effective closure of their border and concerns over the Warriors’ ability to return home also played a part.
WHEN CAN THEY RESUME?
The suspension of the competition is indefinite but the NRL hope to have further details in the next two weeks. Head office will continue to look into several options, including taking players to a city to play or conference systems in different states. Players will stop training but be asked to stay in isolation to keep them healthy if a return date becomes available.
HOW MUCH MONEY COULD BE LOST?
It’s estimated the league could lose about $13 million for each round lost, while estimated figures are about $500 million if the season is wiped out. Chairman Peter V’landys admits that could be a catastrophic blow for the game and the NRL would be required to borrow money to survive the pandemic. The NRL told staff to take annual leave on Monday.
WILL PLAYERS HAVE TO TAKE A PAY CUT?
Yes. The NRL will meet players and their union during the next week to begin talking about cuts. A clause exists in the Collective Bargaining Agreement that can see the salary cap dropped if the league loses revenue. Several senior players on Monday said they would be willing to take pay cuts for the good of the game.
WILL ALL 16 NRL CLUBS SURVIVE?
This could form one of the biggest challenges. V’landys and chief executive Todd Greenberg will do all in their power to help clubs but it will be a trying year. Each club relies on grants of about $13 million from the NRL and that could be in doubt. Clubs will also lose significant sections of their income through gate takings and merchandise, while sponsorship could take a hit if games are lost or companies fall into their own financial trouble. Several clubs have challenging financial situations and already rely on their leagues clubs but those are now also closed as a result of the virus.
Originally published as NRL shutdown: Two pre-seasons in one year a real possibility for rugby league players