QRL coronavirus: All competitions to be shut down until June

The QRL will officially shut down all rugby league competitions throughout the state until June in an attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Rugby league across Queensland has been suspended effective immediately for the first time ever after the governing body on Tuesday night agreed to postpone all competitions for two months amid the ongoing coronavirus scare.

The Queensland Rugby League board met on Tuesday evening and came to the decision to postpone all major statewide competitions, which includes the Intrust Super Cup, until the weekend of June 4 and 5 to avoid spreading COVID-19.

All junior and senior community rugby league competitions will be go into hibernation until the first weekend of May.

FULL LIST: The latest news on which competitions have been cancelled

Redcliffe Dolphins vs Souths Logan Magpies in the Mal Meninga Cup. Picture: Bradley Cooper

Meanwhile, all junior regional and state carnivals have been postponed indefinitely.

If the ISC is able to return mid-year, it will see the competition moved to a 13-round season with each team playing each other once, before the scheduled finals series in September.

Similar models are being considered for the women’s statewide BHP Premiership, Hastings Deering Colts and Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup.

The QRL are still working on approval for clubs to continue holding training sessions during this time.

The unprecedented move will see rugby league brought to a standstill across the state for the first time in the history of the sport.

Just like the high profile NRL clubs, the ISC faces major financial challenges in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Some ISC players earn around $40,000 and clubs have privately said they will ensure to meet all player payments.

QRL managing director Rob Moore said the governing body had taken on all advice provided to them by the NRL, health authorities and the government.

“This public health emergency we’re working through is unprecedented and the health and safety of our participants is a priority, along with the welfare of Queensland communities,” Moore said.

“The decision to put our statewide competitions, community leagues and representative programs on hold takes into account all the relevant information provided by the National Rugby League, public health authorities and the government.

“Ultimately, it is our responsibility to implement procedures that don’t place players, volunteers, staff and other stakeholders at unnecessary risk.”