Coronavirus: Peter V’landys says NRL will play on until told not to
ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys has defiantly reaffirmed that the NRL show will go on.
ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys has defiantly reaffirmed that the NRL show will go on as the game prepares for a “monumental” week when the reality of the coronavirus crisis begins to bite at the hip pockets of officials and players.
V’landys spent Sunday afternoon in talks with government officials as he sought some clarity around rugby league’s ability to carry on with COVID-19 closing in on sporting codes.
The AFL, having pressed ahead with the opening round of its season, announced it would shut down until the end of May before reassessing its decision prompted by Prime Minister Scott Morrison banning all “non-essential” travel and state governments moving to close their borders.
V’landys and the NRL have taken a different tack. Having spent the day monitoring a rapidly changing landscape, V’landys on Sunday night insisted the code would forge ahead with Round 3.
“We’re still working with government to continue to play, and we said from the start we will always listen to the health authorities and experts and nothing has changed for us,” V’landys said.
“Unless the authorities say don’t play, we will continue to play.”
Asked about the AFL’s decision, he said: “They have a different situation where they have teams in every state which makes it a lot more difficult. We have three states. So far our advice is that we will be allowed to transport the players interstate.
“I have been talking to state ministers, federal ministers. I have been on the phone all day. At this stage we are on but I will know more tomorrow morning.
“At this stage there is no need to move the teams. Rugby league should be OK but things change by the hour.”
V’landys conceded it is shaping as a monumental week for the code as it steps up talks with staff and the players’ union over costs.
Reality is already hitting hard in clubland as clubs cut back staff and streamline their operations in order to make ends meet.
Earlier, V’landys addressed the issue of cuts to salaries across the game when he spoke on Triple M NRL. No one, he said, was exempt. Not the players. Not the executive. Not the commission.
“We can’t survive unless they take pay cuts under some of the scenarios,” V’landys said. “Look, we all have to take pay cuts — cuts have to happen at clubs, they have to happen at the NRL.
“The NRL has to lead by example and make drastic cuts at head office. The executives at the NRL, the commission, everyone has to take cuts. We are in this together. It is not just the players who have to take pay cuts. The conversation has already begun.
“No matter which scenario we are in, we are going to make significant financial losses. That hard discussion has to happen next week. We are going to talk next week and have a look at what our options are. The CBA does allow for these discussions to occur.
“As I said, I have never seen more co-operation. Common sense will prevail and we will come forward with a package to take to the players — and I am sure they will accept it.”
Incoming Rugby League Players Association chief executive Clint Newton agreed talks would need to be held with the NRL.
“The best thing we are doing at the moment is we are having daily contact. I am speaking to Peter daily,” Newton said. “As this evolves and changes you have to adapt accordingly. Right now, because the game hasn’t stopped, we haven’t gone through any type of financial modelling with the NRL.
“What we have said is that players will absolutely have to share in any downturn. We all understand that we’re going to be faced with some pretty significant changes.”
V’landys insisted there was no plan to relocate all 16 clubs to one destination despite speculation states on the eastern seaboard could shut their borders.
The NRL understands that, even if that occurred, sporting teams would be able to move across state lines. The NRL has brought in many protocols, insisting players self-isolate and travel on charter flights to limit contact with the public.
NSW seems the likely option if the NRL decided to operate out one city, given 11 teams are already in the state, 12 if you include the Warriors.
Interstate clubs could be relocated to western Sydney, where there is accommodation and venues to potentially house the Brisbane Broncos, Melbourne Storm and North Queensland Cowboys.
The alternative — complete shutdown of the competition – would come at a hefty cost to the game, given it receives $13m a week from broadcasters.
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