Queensland NRL clubs left in limbo as state government delays any decision until Friday
The Broncos, Cowboys and Titans are expected to be given the greenlight to restart the 2020 NRL season on home soil but questions remain as to when the three clubs will return to training.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Foolish: NRL hands down $100 in COVID fines
Queensland NRL clubs are expected to Friday get the green light from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to restart their 2020 season campaigns on home soil.
But the NRL is awaiting confirmation from its players that they will front for training on Monday as the game deals with a brand new pay dispute.
The Rugby League Players’ Association on Thursday confirmed it wanted more information around players’ pay and other welfare issues ahead of the May 28 season resumption.
The players were due to front their clubs on Monday for the first time since the season was suspended on March 23.
But that is now in doubt as the NRL scrambles to satisfy the players’ demands before beginning preparations for the season reboot.
Relive classic NRL matches from the 60s to today on KAYO SPORTS. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
The NRL has been working feverishly to restart the 2020 premiership and will today receive clarity on the future of Queensland’s three clubs.
The Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans have contingency plans to relocate to NSW if the government bans them from commencing training or playing in Queensland.
The Broncos will be based at Kingscliff, the Titans just over the border at Tweed Heads and the Cowboys will relocate to Sydney’s Olympic Park.
The contingency plans are not expected to come to fruition, with Palaszczuk tipped to approve the NRL to restart in Queensland following today’s National Cabinet meeting.
Cowboys football chief Peter Parr said the club had to be prepared for every scenario.
“We have to plan for being either here or Sydney,” he said.
“It’s not ideal but it is a possibility so we are planning for it and we are accepting of it.
“If we end up in Sydney we will be well prepared for that. Likewise, we’re making plans if we’re able to stay in Townsville.
“Obviously staying in Townsville is what we’d prefer, but we’re all prepared to go to Sydney if that’s how it eventuates.
“We’re hopeful the government has enough information from the NRL to see it fit for us to stay in Townsville.”
The players have received guidance they will be paid 80 per cent of their total 2020 salaries, but the NRL is yet to strike a new broadcast deal with its television partners.
Parr said at this stage he was expecting Cowboys players to report to the club on Monday.
“I haven’t been told otherwise but that’s a matter for the RLPA and NRL,” he said.
“We’ve never been through something like this before and hopefully we never will again.
“Everybody is doing their best. The NRL is doing their best, the RLPA, players, clubs. There is no manual for what we’re going through.
“We’ll see how everything pans out and hopefully it all comes together.”
The first day of preparations on Monday was scheduled to include an information session about the biosecurity protocols the NRL is implementing for the season resumption.
The RLPA is yet to agree to the final terms, presenting another roadblock in the season kicking off on May 28.
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold said the players had to be informed about how the season would operate.
“We need to see what are the restrictions around the communities to start with and what are the restrictions around the guidelines from the NRL in regards to what players and staff can and can’t do,” he said.
“I’ve seen the draft, but until we receive official documentation we can then present it to the players and educate them.
“There’s no point us talking to the players until we receive clear information and guidelines. Once we do that we can communicate to them.
“In the interim, the expectation is the players and staff adhere to the community guidelines around social distancing and restrictions in place.
“Until we receive official documentation, not in draft form, we can’t educate them. We can’t talk forever to the players about that.
“I’m hoping we’ve got all of that documentation and detail by Friday so we can inform the players and everyone is clear then.”
Originally published as Queensland NRL clubs left in limbo as state government delays any decision until Friday