NRL’s proposed May 28 season relaunch hits several roadblocks
The NRL’s proposed May 28 relaunch hit a major hurdle after drawing heavy criticism from both state health ministers. But the most worrying warning came from one of Australia’s leading medical authorities.
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ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys has hit back at suggestions rugby league has gone rogue after being accused of acting as a "law unto itself" by one of Australia's leading medical authorities.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly gave the NRL a Good Friday uppercut, questioning the decision by rugby league's innovation committee to plot a May 28 competition relaunch amid the coronavirus pandemic. The game also drew criticism from NSW health minister Brad Hazzard.
But V'landys returned serve, telling News Corp the NRL were transparent in consultation with NSW health authorities and claims the code has received the medical green light to resume the premiership next month.
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"We are allowed to resume under the health order," V'landys said.
"We also have authorisation in writing (from NSW authorities).
"He (Kelly) unfortunately is unaware of the health order and our dealings with the relevant authorities."
V'landys was responding to a no-nonsense address from Kelly, who had a veiled crack at NRL players and coaches and suggested rugby league believed it was above the laws of the common man. He even expressed concern for Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett claiming the veteran mentor was at risk of contracting the coronavirus.
"Whether May is the time will remain to be seen and definitely they'll need to get some permission to do that,” Professor Kelly said.
"The NRL was not a law unto itself.
"Some of the players and coaches may think so, but they're part of society.
"To be really frank about this, we all have a place in this and if we loosen the social distancing measures at the moment it can have an implication down the track.
"If we don't have these social distancing measures, one person can lead to 400 other cases within a month.
“The other part I say about the NRL, they’re general very fit young men and women, so they themselves are not at high risk and if they were just part of the – I understand the proposal is to play – continue to play in empty stadium, so they could be their own microcosm.
“For them, it may not be a big problem. There’s other people around the teams, Wayne Bennett is in his 70s, he would be in a vulnerable group, Ricky Stuart with the mighty Raiders, he would potential be in a vulnerable group, so thinking about the team, not just the players, but those – the support around them, is important.”
The NRL's flagship club, the Broncos, are currently in talks with the Queensland government seeking border exemptions that would allow charter-flight travel to games at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
"The Queensland Government has been excellent in supporting our game and our club during this difficult time for the entire community, and we look forward continuing our work with them in mapping a way forward," White said.
"Being able to play at Suncorp Stadium and train at the Clive Berghofer Centre in tightly controlled and monitored conditions will ensure our players and staff have the safest-possible environment to prepare and play rugby league.
"Having May 28 as a target for a restart to the competition provides real hope for everyone at the club and throughout the wider rugby league community."
Hazzard said he had not spoken with the NRL about their plans to return. However News Corp has learnt he and V’landys spoke Friday following Hazzard’s comments.
It was Hazzard who signed off on a public health order last week exempting sport and racing from government restrictions. It is also understood Hazzard’s office asked the NRL to liaise with the premier’s and sport minister’s office about their return.
The NRL also obtained a letter last Wednesday from the relevant government authorises confirming their ability to train and play.
Originally published as NRL’s proposed May 28 season relaunch hits several roadblocks