Moving NRL games out of Queensland to the ACT, Victoria or hubs in regional NSW is part of a “worst-case scenario” being planned by the League in response to Queensland’s extended lockdown.
NRL players and their families are set to be reunited in biosecurity hubs as planned on Wednesday despite Queensland’s COVID-19 lockdown being extended until Sunday.
A further 13 cases of community transmission were announced in Queensland on Monday morning, forcing the extension of a three-day lockdown to the end of the week.
However, after Saturday’s NRL games were forced to be postponed to Sunday and Monday, the league is confident tighter level-four protocols already agreed upon by the government will allow the competition to continue in the state.
The NRL is also set to finalise venues in the coming days for at least round 21 to comply with new stricter guidelines.
It’s understood all games will be played out of two stadiums at most to minimise travel around the state.
Suncorp Stadium was tipped to host all eight games this weekend but there are concerns it may not hold up over the coming weeks if the NRL is forced to play all matches out of one venue.
Already the Brisbane venue has hosted five games in round 20 with the final two matches to be played there on Monday night.
A report will be done on the surface following the Cronulla and Manly game.
To ease the burden on the venue, the NRL will push for games to be played between at least two stadiums either Sunshine Coast Stadium or Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
It’s one of a range of contingencies the NRL is planning as staff work around the clock to satisfy the Queensland government and keep the competition running.
Although confident the competition won’t need to be shifted from Queensland to another state, the NRL is already planning for a worst-case scenario.
That could include shifting to the ACT, Victoria or hubs in regional NSW.
Families of players and staff are set to come out of a hard 14-day quarantine on Wednesday and will be transported to their intended NRL hubs in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast or on the Gold Coast, where they will essentially enter another lockdown.
But the NRL hubs will allow for additional small freedoms in line with the state’s health orders, including getting outdoor exercise for families who have been confined in hotel rooms for the past fortnight.
It will come as a huge boost for NRL players, staff and families with five rounds to go until finals.
AAP
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