NRL 2020: Grand final, Origin venues won’t be decided on until COVID-19 figures become clearer

The NRL grand final in New Zealand? What about Perth? Or the SCG? Origin in Canberra? All options are on the table as officials face an anxious few weeks to see if COVID-19 cases in NSW are kept under control.

The SCG is in line to host its first grand final since 1987.

The NRL will be forced to wait another two weeks – possibly even three – before being able to finalise four of the biggest decisions confronting 2020.

Despite entering round 13 in the first week of August, the NRL and ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys remain powerless to reach any major decision on State of Origin and the grand final due to Melbourne’s COVID outbreak.

The final decisions may not be reached until early September. The ARL Commission is still unable to determine:

Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand with no-ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

ANZ Stadium would be favourite for a Sydney grand final.

MORE NRL NEWS

NRL teams: Dragons axe star, SuperCoach carnage

Three NRL coaches applied for vacant Cowboys job

Run home: Ins, outs of every club’s run to NRL finals

- Whether this year grand final will be played in Sydney?

- What venue the grand final will be contested?

- Whether State of Origin I will still be played in Adelaide?

- What alternate venue would be chosen if Adelaide was to be cancelled.

The NRL will wait another two to three weeks to determine the full impact and affect Victoria’s coronavirus breakout may have had in NSW.

COVID infections data later this month will show the State Government – and the NRL - whether NSW faces renewed sanctions. Until that moment, the NRL cannot push ahead with key decisions for later this season.

Just three weeks ago, the NRL had planned for full crowds could return to the ground on August 1.

Peter V'Landys hasn’t been able to answer some important questions.

One well-placed source said: “The NRL can’t make any decision with any certainty for two to three weeks until the virus is contained or eradicated. Things are changing so quickly.”

NRL officials remain frustrated yet accepting of the delays.

Provided NSW infection rates remain low, the grand final will be played in Sydney.

Should those levels increase significantly, there is a chance the decider could be moved to Brisbane, Perth or even New Zealand.

If the grand final is in Sydney, the NRL is still uncertain where would it be played – ANZ Stadium or the Sydney Cricket Ground?

The NRL continues talks with State Government about the merits of both venues although ANZ Stadium would be favourite given its ground capacity. The SCG hasn’t hosted a grand final since 1987.

The SCG was to host the grand final before the ANZ Stadium redevelopment was abandoned through COVID. ANZ Stadium management is in constant contact with NRL officials.

Origin in the heart of AFL territory may not go ahead this year.

Origin I in Adelaide is still scheduled for November 4 but odds are lengthening the match will proceed given the South Australian Government may be reluctant to allow 20,000 fans from the eastern states to converge on their state.

Speculation continues about Canberra possibly hosting an Origin match but those in well-placed positions claim it won’t happen.

Should Adelaide be scrapped, the NRL has several options but the safest would be playing two games at ANZ Stadium, although the Queensland Rugby League may object.

Even with a limited 25 per cent crowd capacity, ANZ Stadium could still seat 20,000 fans.