NRL 2021: ARLC boss Peter V’landys keen to finish season in Queensland

ARLC boss Peter V’landys has revealed how invested the NRL is in staying in Queensland to finish out the 2021 season.

Latrell Mitchell and the Rabbitohs tackled the Dragons in the third match of a triple-header at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. Picture: NRL Photos

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys says there is no immediate plan to move the NRL competition out of Queensland as Suncorp Stadium was given the green light to host more matches this weekend.

News Corp can reveal the Queensland government has given approval for Suncorp and Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium to share the hosting of eight matches for round 21 this weekend.

It is understood the Broncos-Knights clash — originally scheduled for Sunshine Coast Stadium — will be transferred to Brisbane to launch the round on Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium.

Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Suncorp could host a total of three games, possibly over two days, with Cbus Super Stadium to stage up to five matches as part of the NRL’s beefed-up Level 4-plus protocols, which has reduced the number of venues used during the Covid saga.

There are fears a fresh Covid outbreak in Queensland could see the NRL’s 16 teams relocated again, possibly to Victoria, to ensure the Telstra Premiership’s survival for the final eight weeks of the season.

Latrell Mitchell and the Rabbitohs tackled the Dragons in the third match of a triple-header at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. Picture: NRL Photos

But V’landys is determined to keep the code’s 400-plus players in the Sunshine State after the NRL last month outlaid around $15 million to relocate 12 teams to Queensland.

If the Queensland government’s snap lockdown over the weekend prevents a major rise in Covid infection rates, the NRL will maintain the status quo with a view to finishing the season on Queensland soil.

Bankrolling another expensive move to Melbourne is a last-resort option. It would be a huge logistical exercise, especially with hundreds of NRL-affiliated families to be released from quarantine in Queensland on Wednesday.

V’landys confirmed the NRL has contingencies in place if the code is forced to evacuate Queensland, but says he remains committed to finishing the 2021 season in the Sunshine State.

“We are staying in Queensland as long as we can,” V’landys said. “There are other options, but as it stands we are not looking at relocation.

ARLC boss Peter V’landys. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Unless the lockdown extends for a long period or the Covid situation gets out of control, we are going to stay in Queensland and be patient. The wives and families of the players come out of quarantine (on Wednesday), which is good news.”

Asked if the NRL season could be cancelled, V’landys said: “I’m confident we will finish the competition. We are staying in Queensland and hopefully the Covid situation improves in the coming days and weeks.”

The ARL Commission’s stance came as Suncorp Stadium boss Alan Graham ruled out concerns about the venue’s playing surface and said the home of Queensland rugby league has been approved to host three games this weekend.

Suncorp was called upon to host seven of the NRL’s eight games following the Queensland’s government shock lockdown decision on Saturday morning midway through round 20.

Fears over the state of Suncorp Stadium’s surface have been dismissed. Picture: NRL Photos

There were concerns Suncorp would not be able to handle such a heavy workload and while Graham agreed the venue cannot host seven games every week, he dismissed fears the playing surface could become dangerous.

It is understood Suncorp could host another three games this weekend, possibly over two days, with Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium to stage up to five matches.

The Broncos were due to launch round 21 against Newcastle on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday, but there is a possibility that game will be shifted to Suncorp.

“The surface is by no means in any dangerous state,” Graham said.

“I have spoken to our ground staff and our head groundsman Mal Caddies is still comfortable with the quality of the playing surface.

“Our head groundsman is outstanding and if he tells me he is comfortable, that is good enough for me.

“It’s not so much a concern in the sense that we always knew from day one that the comp was relocating that the usage had to be managed. The turf is a living organism and it can only cop so much wear and tear.

Ryan Papenhuyzen in action for the Storm against Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. Picture: NRL Photos via Getty Images

“From day one, we knew that, but the field is in good order.

“We will soak up some more games this weekend and we are awaiting dates from the NRL following their discussions with Queensland health.

“We had seven games on the weekend, but we have to be realistic. No venue could handle that number of games every weekend.

“We are potentially looking at three games this weekend and we think we can manage that.

“Every venue needs time to recover so moving forward it’s not a showstopper for us. We will continue to be available but it’s not realistic to play every game at the same venue every week.

“The reality is we have to share games with other venues moving forward and we have a few potential scenarios. The NRL is looking at other options as part of this weekend’s round.”