NRL and the coronavirus: where we were, where we are and where we’re going next
Did the NRL shut down too soon? Is it safe to restart again now? What measures will be needed to ensure player safety? These and many other questions answered as rugby league prepares itself for a return.
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As the coronavirus has spread across the world, causing a global health crisis with the loss of life on a huge scale, the sporting world as we knew it has been forced in to an unprecedented period of near total shutdown.
Here’s the lowdown on how it has specifically impacted rugby league.
What did the NRL look like at the time it stopped?
Parramatta, Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and Penrith were the undefeated sides from the opening two matches. Cronulla, St George Illawarra, Roosters, Bulldogs, Warriors and Titans had yet to win a game.
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Why did the NRL stop playing?
The NRL were one of the last remaining sports in the world to officially stop play.
They played their round two matches behind closed doors and had wanted to continue on. But they trusted government and expert advice who told them to stop play immediately.
According to ARLC chairman Peter V’landys, the coronavirus infection rate was about 23 per cent and they were warned it could spike up to about 40 per cent.
Why do they think they can resume?
The NRL now feel like they stopped the game prematurely.
They have moved on their biosecurity expert and are confident the infection rate will continue to plummet. The NRL have been told that number could be less than 1 per cent by the time the competition resumes on May 28 — it’s sitting on 1.8 per cent right now. They feel like their players are safe enough to step on the field today.
What happens if there is no football on the field?
It has been dubbed the doomsday scenario. If the coronavirus worsens and stringent lockdowns continue, clubs would face insolvency and the game itself will need to rely on a line of credit just to power on.
What measures will be in place to protect players if play resumes?
The best-case scenario for all teams except the Warriors is to self-isolate at home.
Players will have their temperature checked at least once before they train and play. They will also need to wash their hands as soon as they enter the facility. Clubs must immediately report anyone showing flu-like symptoms and that player is to be quarantined.
What are some ideas that have been floated to get play back on?
The game hasn’t been short of potential ideas to get the game going on again.
The bubble led the most discussion where players were to be segregated in an isolated area and cut-off from the outside world. The bubble could have been from anywhere in Queensland to Sydney Olympic Park, Mudgee, Kingscliff, Canberra or Penrith.
The competition was also going to be split into up to four conferences. Wooden spoon play-offs and wildcard games were also mentioned.
Will all 16 teams compete this season?
At this stage, yes. But a lot of work needs to be done to ensure the Warriors are able to fly in and out of New Zealand and the Queensland borders are opened up.
What will the competition structure be?
To be decided but the most likely scenario is playing 13 further matches against teams who are yet to play each other this year. Another option is to finish the year with a handful of rivalry rounds that will prove to be blockbusters for the broadcasters.
What’s left to be done?
Project Apollo — the committee charged with getting the game back on the field — still has a bit of work to do.
They have a start date of May 28, but they still need to finalise commitments with the government’s, lock down the competition structure, make peace with the broadcast partners and put into place the biosecurity measures needed to protect the players.
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What does the road ahead look like?
This week looms pivotal. A meeting with the broadcast partners as early as Tuesday will shape exactly how the competition will work.
- Will Channel 9 come to the party and continue to broadcast games or will another free to air network snap up the rights?
- Fox Sports remains committed to the game.
- There will be a massive cull of staff at head office and at clubs.
- Players are also in the midst of renegotiating their salary after agreeing to a 72 per cent pay cut for the rest of the year based on there being no more matches.