NRL gears up to face potential threat posed by coronavirus
The NRL has set up an advisory group to liaise with the federal government and the AIS over the threat posed by coronavirus.
The NRL has set up an advisory group to liaise with the federal government and the Australian Institute of Sport over the threat posed by coronavirus.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg, in Brisbane on Monday to attend a function launching the season for the Queensland clubs, revealed the game’s chief medical officer Paul Bloomfield had been charged with keeping the governing body and the clubs abreast of developments with coronavirus.
A litany of sports have already been affected by the virus and there are growing fears that the Tokyo Olympics will be cancelled due to concerns over its spread.
In England, some Premier League clubs have told their players not to shake hands amid speculation their season could be cut short on the recommendation of the government.
The Chinese F1 Grand Prix scheduled for April has also been postponed, and the Ferrari team have restricted access to their factory in Maranello.
The NRL has thus far been untouched but the fear is that it too will eventually be affected, hence the decision by the game to open the lines of communication with the federal government and the AIS.
“We have created a working group at the NRL led primarily by our chief medical officer who is in contact with the federal government and the Australian Institute of Sport, we are watching all those trends, and if things change how we will deal with them,” Greenberg said.
“We will put plans in place, we are not jumping to any conclusions just yet, but of course we are mindful of the problems that might exist.
“People will want to go to the worst-case scenario and it’s our job to make sure we are well planned.”
Should the NRL be affected, it could have serious financial ramifications for the code and its clubs.
Only last week, the game announced it was in a healthy financial state with more than $100m in assets. They may need every cent of that if the concerns in Asia and Europe spread to these shores.
Ultimately, the experience of ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys could be invaluable. V’landys negotiated a $235m rescue package with the NSW government at the height of the equine flu outbreak in 2007, money that ensured the racing industry emerged relatively unscathed from the drama.
Rugby league may yet benefit from that experience. Greenberg, meanwhile, has other matters to deal with.
On Monday, he confirmed he was close to reaching a decision on the playing future of Canberra centre Curtis Scott, who has been scrapping to save his immediate future after an incident with police.
Scott’s lawyer Sam Macedone met Greenberg earlier this week and is optimistic the NRL will allow his client to play in the opening round of the premiership. “We got together and he (Greenberg) had a look at everything he needs to have a look at,” Macedone said.
“I think the meeting went fairly well. I would like to think that the end result is something we would like. But it’s not my decision.
“I cannot do any more than I have done. I am hoping we’re successful. My opinion is a legal one. His opinion is one where he has to uphold the brand of the NRL.”
Greenberg said he anticipated making a call in coming days.
“The no-fault stand-down is designed to put a very strong protection of the game,” he said.
“To put into the discretionary part for my decision-making, I want the benchmark to be very high.
“That’s the way it has been.
“We’ll look at every case on its merits. People want me to be consistent but it’s very hard to be consistent when you deal with different matters each time.
“We will be fair, reasonable and consider what’s placed in front of us. We’ll make a decision then move on with it.
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