NRL 2020: Queensland Maroons heavyweights back ‘Project Artie’ campaign
Annastacia Palaszczuk has softened her stance on the NRL’s attempt to restart the competition during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as her State of Origin doubts.
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Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is open to speaking with the NRL about the resumption of the season in May, but is yet to hear from the game’s bosses.
It comes ahead of a landmark week of meetings with broadcasters, the ARLC and the innovation committee, to finalise a pitch to state governments on Wednesday.
Since last week, Palaszczuk has softened her stance on the NRL’s attempt to restart the competition during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as her doubts State of Origin can be played at all in 2020.
On Monday morning, the premier said she was open to discussions with the NRL over their plans to move players safely between states to allow the season to restart on May 28.
Palaszczuk also confirmed she had spoken to QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher about whether Origin could be played this year, and prefers a proposal to play the three-game series at the end of the year.
“There’s no update, of course we’re open to any plan,” she said.
“There has been no plan submitted, there has been no phone calls.
“But in relation to the QRL and the State of Origin, yes of course I’ve spoken with Bruce Hatcher.
“As I’ve said from day one, towards the end of the year we will be open to that if the health advice says we’re in a situation to do so.”
The NRL has already confirmed Origin will be played in the traditional three-game format this year, but like the regular competition a plan around the showpiece event is yet to be confirmed.
It will all be on the table this week in delicate negotiations with broadcasters Fox Sports and Channel Nine.
NSW deputy premier John Barilaro gave further hope to the NRL as they prepare to present a plan to governments for the green light to return this week. He confirmed the NSW government was considering allowing non NSW-based teams to be housed in regional sports centres across the state, but it would be subject to advice from health experts.
“First and foremost, the NRL is putting a proposal forward to government to consider, and the health experts will assess that,” he said on Monday morning.
Earlier, Queensland coach Kevin Walters backed plans for Suncorp Stadium to retain one State of Origin match this season as a tribute to Maroons Immortal Arthur Beetson.
The ‘Project Artie’ campaign is in full swing with ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys revealing his desire to reward Queensland fans with a Suncorp game to celebrate Origin’s 40-year anniversary this year.
The Queensland Rugby League has held talks with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to gauge the possibility of border restrictions being eased in the coming months to pave the way for an Origin celebration on Beetson’s home turf.
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc with Origin’s June-July scheduling and the Maroons were bracing for the unfortunate prospect of playing all three interstate games against NSW in Sydney this season.
But the NRL’s Project Apollo team is determined not to rob Queensland of an Origin game and Walters, who was 12 years old when he watched Beetson’s famous Maroons debut in 1980, is relishing a Suncorp celebration.
“It’s the 40th anniversary of Origin and what the great Artie Beetson did for Queensland will never be forgotten,” Walters said.
“If we have to play three Origin games in NSW we would do that, but it would be wonderful to have one game in Queensland for everything Artie Beetson achieved.
“Lang Park is such a special place in the history of State of Origin so I’d love to see us keep one game at Suncorp to pay tribute to Artie.”
Game Three at Suncorp this year was originally slated for July 8 — the night of Origin’s debut at Lang Park in 1980 — but the ARLC is now considering an October series in the hope the COVID-19 crisis will ease to allow crowds to attend.
QRL chief executive Rob Moore says he is unaware of plans for an October campaign but hopes the schedule caters for an Origin game at the home of Queensland rugby league.
“We’ve had no advice in regards to an Origin series in October,” Moore said.
“I’m not sure what the plan is around Origin but there is a desire from us to see at least one game in Queensland.
“The government here has better information than I have. There is a feeling in the game we will play Origin anytime but I’ve had no formal timeline at this stage.
“We have no idea what it could look like but if there was an opportunity for one game in Queensland, that’s our preference.
“We had a whole heap of plans around the 40th anniversary of State of Origin.”
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QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher sees merit in an Origin series after this year’s NRL grand final.
“If it weren’t possible to play it in the first six to eight weeks, then I’d look to play it in October or November and I’d love to play at least one game in Queensland,” Hatcher said.
“If the coronavirus risk is limited, let’s go ahead with Origin.”
Originally published as NRL 2020: Queensland Maroons heavyweights back ‘Project Artie’ campaign
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