They need a good travel agent ,pity I’m retired , I’d get them there.
Coronavirus sucks.. but the NRL lives!
- Thread starter Bring back the.... Biff?
- Start date
They need a good travel agent ,pity I’m retired , I’d get them there.
I'm usually stoked when the footy season starts and was looking forward to a good effort by the Eagles this year ...... it's weird BUT ..... I'm currently struggling with my interest level? Is anyone else feeling the same way?
ManEagle
Just a Man and his Eagle
agreed Mark, a massive logistical nightmare, and with the right people on board can be done, so get stick into and sort them out mate, expect a 500page dossier on the desk by tomorrow morning with the all available infrastructure and resources on place !!
Way above my pay grade up to you now
ManEagle
Just a Man and his Eagle
I must admit I am still keen but nowhere near the level I could be, one thing keeping the interest is a new grandie so the initiation of Manly Seageagle fan has begun.
Struggling is Understandable with so much other stuff going on then add for guys like yourself who operate small business and concerns there is no wonder Footy is down the pecking order.
Speaking of pecking,
Hope we smash those cotton pecking feckin Roosters Saturday !!!
Schedule conflict with cricket could force NRL to shift 2020 grand final from SCG
If the NRL season is forced to run into November, a schedule clash with the summer of cricket could force the NRL to shift the grand final from the SCG.
Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph
Subscriber only
|
March 18, 2020 5:06pm
Close
The $810 million ANZ Stadium redevelopment could be delayed by five months if the NRL is forced to shift this year’s grand final from the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Daily Telegraph has also been told that Parramatta’s Bankwest Stadium is another candidate to host rugby league’s biggest club match.
A postponement of rugby league club games in coming weeks due to coronavirus could push the NRL grand final from October 4 to later in the month or into November.
The SCG however will be formally handed over to the ICC from October 10 for the start of the T20 World Cup. The first SCG World Cup game will pit Australia against Pakistan on October 24.
SCG ground staff would need around three weeks before the handover to prepare the pitch and outfield. Stadiums also have a lockout stage around a week before any major event.
It means the grand final would need to be moved from the SCG.
.
A Memorandum of Understanding with the NSW Government — based around the $1.2 billion stadiums deal — states all grand finals must be played in NSW until 2046.
That essentially rules out any move to take the grand final north to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium or Townsville’s new QCB Stadium.
Bankwest Stadium is a prime candidate but only holds 30,000 fans.
ANZ Stadium is due to be decommissioned after an NRL match between Canterbury and South Sydney on June 27. The ground is due to host State of Origin II six days earlier, although there are talks about moving the Origin series to after the grand final.
There is also speculation the redevelopment would be scrapped entirely, although that remains a remote possibility.
There is now growing pressure that the refurbishment’s commencement date could be delayed until November to host this year’s grand final.
Any delay would be financially costly but at least give the NRL an 83,000 seat option for their decider.
A spokesman for Acting NSW Sports Minister Geoff Lee said there had been no discussions yet about delaying the construction.
The NRL and SCG Trust are aware of the possible shift, as is management at ANZ Stadium and Bankwest Stadium.
NRL management will discuss the matter in-depth during coming weeks once it is known whether the competition will be suspended.
Any holdup at ANZ Stadium could impact on Australia’s 2023 bid for the women’s football World Cup.
A revamped ANZ Stadium was to re-open in 2023 but that could now be delayed if demolition was pushed back five months.
The final T20 World Cup game at the SCG would be a semi-final on November 11.
It would be unlikely the NRL grand final would be played at the ground after this date because it would still be configured for cricket, including a significant pitch square.
The only other scenario would be Queensland making a huge offer encouraging the NRL to break its NSW Government contract and play at Suncorp Stadium.
October 10 is also looming as a potential deadline date for the MCG to host this year’s grand final. Following that point, like the SCG, control of the ground will be handed to the ICC.
Speaking on SEN this morning, MCC CEO Stuart Fox said access to the ground for AFL games could extend into the first two weeks of October.
“After that it becomes very challenging. We have a contract in place with the ICC and cricket is bringing a World Cup to Australia. We need to think about how significant that is to Australia, the economy, viewership around the world,” he said.
If the NRL season is forced to run into November, a schedule clash with the summer of cricket could force the NRL to shift the grand final from the SCG.
Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph
Subscriber only
|
March 18, 2020 5:06pm
Close
The $810 million ANZ Stadium redevelopment could be delayed by five months if the NRL is forced to shift this year’s grand final from the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Daily Telegraph has also been told that Parramatta’s Bankwest Stadium is another candidate to host rugby league’s biggest club match.
A postponement of rugby league club games in coming weeks due to coronavirus could push the NRL grand final from October 4 to later in the month or into November.
The SCG however will be formally handed over to the ICC from October 10 for the start of the T20 World Cup. The first SCG World Cup game will pit Australia against Pakistan on October 24.
SCG ground staff would need around three weeks before the handover to prepare the pitch and outfield. Stadiums also have a lockout stage around a week before any major event.
It means the grand final would need to be moved from the SCG.
.
A Memorandum of Understanding with the NSW Government — based around the $1.2 billion stadiums deal — states all grand finals must be played in NSW until 2046.
That essentially rules out any move to take the grand final north to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium or Townsville’s new QCB Stadium.
Bankwest Stadium is a prime candidate but only holds 30,000 fans.
ANZ Stadium is due to be decommissioned after an NRL match between Canterbury and South Sydney on June 27. The ground is due to host State of Origin II six days earlier, although there are talks about moving the Origin series to after the grand final.
There is also speculation the redevelopment would be scrapped entirely, although that remains a remote possibility.
There is now growing pressure that the refurbishment’s commencement date could be delayed until November to host this year’s grand final.
Any delay would be financially costly but at least give the NRL an 83,000 seat option for their decider.
A spokesman for Acting NSW Sports Minister Geoff Lee said there had been no discussions yet about delaying the construction.
The NRL and SCG Trust are aware of the possible shift, as is management at ANZ Stadium and Bankwest Stadium.
NRL management will discuss the matter in-depth during coming weeks once it is known whether the competition will be suspended.
Any holdup at ANZ Stadium could impact on Australia’s 2023 bid for the women’s football World Cup.
A revamped ANZ Stadium was to re-open in 2023 but that could now be delayed if demolition was pushed back five months.
The final T20 World Cup game at the SCG would be a semi-final on November 11.
It would be unlikely the NRL grand final would be played at the ground after this date because it would still be configured for cricket, including a significant pitch square.
The only other scenario would be Queensland making a huge offer encouraging the NRL to break its NSW Government contract and play at Suncorp Stadium.
October 10 is also looming as a potential deadline date for the MCG to host this year’s grand final. Following that point, like the SCG, control of the ground will be handed to the ICC.
Speaking on SEN this morning, MCC CEO Stuart Fox said access to the ground for AFL games could extend into the first two weeks of October.
“After that it becomes very challenging. We have a contract in place with the ICC and cricket is bringing a World Cup to Australia. We need to think about how significant that is to Australia, the economy, viewership around the world,” he said.
Joey Leilua has backed plans to keep playing through the coronavirus crisis, rather than take a pay cut
The NRL might be in for the first wave of player resistance after they were told the coronavirus crisis might lead to pay cuts.
Fatima Kdouh, The Daily Telegraph
Subscriber only
|
March 18, 2020 7:44pm
Close
News NRL players face taking a pay cut due to the coronavirus pandemic went down like a lead balloon at Concord on Wednesday morning, according to Wests Tigers centre Joey Leilua.
Players were notified of the possibility of pay cuts, relocating the competition and changes to the length of the season via a video message from the Rugby League Players Association.
But not one to hold back his opinions, Leilua said taking home less money was an unpopular position and he questioned the NRL’s management of its rich broadcast deal worth $1.8 billion.
“I thought they were handling their money better but if they say it’s only going to last three months, then we are in trouble,” he said.
“All the boys were like ‘I better be not getting cut short because we have mortgages to pay and bills to pay.
“I don’t know what is going to happen but I’m not all for that if we have to get a pay cut.
“We’d rather keep playing.
“But I’m sure there is some money in there with the revenue we’ve got, they should be saving money for when these things happen.”
Under the CBA agreement between the NRL and players, a loss in revenue could trigger a clause that allows the governing body to force pay cuts and the reduction of the salary cap, which is $9.8 million for 2020.
“If the competition were to be paused or suspended for any period of time, we may be forced to consider that,” the RLPA’s Clint Newton said in the video.
“Any reduction in player payments and benefits need to be agreed with us. Player salaries would be the last thing we look to reduce.
“We can also look at reducing future payments such as the salary cap in ensuing years. We don’t have to necessarily take all the money out in one year or we may look to defer player benefits down the line.”
Tigers backrower Luciano Leilua echoed his older brother’s sentiments on the issue of pay cuts and said he was concerned for players on the game’s minimum wage and part-timers.
“Most definitely [it’s concerning], I think most boys would find it concerning, especially for the boys who are on minimum wage.
“Some boys are living paycheck to paycheck.
“For me, it’s just one of those things if it happens you just have to deal with it. But the NRL is doing what it can to make sure it doesn’t happen, it will probably be the last resort not to get paid.”
Despite sporting bodies all over the world postponing their respective competitions as the threat of the coronavirus escalates, the NRL has opted to continue playing behind closed doors.
To protect players from contracting the virus the NRL, with the guidance of state and federal health officials, have advised players to self isolate until the threat is contained.
For Luciano Leilua, the isolation protocol hasn’t been an issue.
“I’m a boring guy, I just stay home anyway,” he said.
“For our game to continue I think everyone has to take this [self isolation] seriously.”
The former St George Illawarra Dragons forward also said NRL players had to take a collegiate approach to the crisis and do whatever it takes to keep playing this season even if it means relocating the competition to the country’s north.
“I do have a family and partner but I think as NRL players we have to make big sacrifices. Some boys have it harder than me though but if that’s what it is going to take to keep the game going then we’ll do that,” he said.
The NRL might be in for the first wave of player resistance after they were told the coronavirus crisis might lead to pay cuts.
Fatima Kdouh, The Daily Telegraph
Subscriber only
|
March 18, 2020 7:44pm
Close
News NRL players face taking a pay cut due to the coronavirus pandemic went down like a lead balloon at Concord on Wednesday morning, according to Wests Tigers centre Joey Leilua.
Players were notified of the possibility of pay cuts, relocating the competition and changes to the length of the season via a video message from the Rugby League Players Association.
But not one to hold back his opinions, Leilua said taking home less money was an unpopular position and he questioned the NRL’s management of its rich broadcast deal worth $1.8 billion.
“I thought they were handling their money better but if they say it’s only going to last three months, then we are in trouble,” he said.
“All the boys were like ‘I better be not getting cut short because we have mortgages to pay and bills to pay.
“I don’t know what is going to happen but I’m not all for that if we have to get a pay cut.
“We’d rather keep playing.
“But I’m sure there is some money in there with the revenue we’ve got, they should be saving money for when these things happen.”
Under the CBA agreement between the NRL and players, a loss in revenue could trigger a clause that allows the governing body to force pay cuts and the reduction of the salary cap, which is $9.8 million for 2020.
“If the competition were to be paused or suspended for any period of time, we may be forced to consider that,” the RLPA’s Clint Newton said in the video.
“Any reduction in player payments and benefits need to be agreed with us. Player salaries would be the last thing we look to reduce.
“We can also look at reducing future payments such as the salary cap in ensuing years. We don’t have to necessarily take all the money out in one year or we may look to defer player benefits down the line.”
Tigers backrower Luciano Leilua echoed his older brother’s sentiments on the issue of pay cuts and said he was concerned for players on the game’s minimum wage and part-timers.
“Most definitely [it’s concerning], I think most boys would find it concerning, especially for the boys who are on minimum wage.
“Some boys are living paycheck to paycheck.
“For me, it’s just one of those things if it happens you just have to deal with it. But the NRL is doing what it can to make sure it doesn’t happen, it will probably be the last resort not to get paid.”
Despite sporting bodies all over the world postponing their respective competitions as the threat of the coronavirus escalates, the NRL has opted to continue playing behind closed doors.
To protect players from contracting the virus the NRL, with the guidance of state and federal health officials, have advised players to self isolate until the threat is contained.
For Luciano Leilua, the isolation protocol hasn’t been an issue.
“I’m a boring guy, I just stay home anyway,” he said.
“For our game to continue I think everyone has to take this [self isolation] seriously.”
The former St George Illawarra Dragons forward also said NRL players had to take a collegiate approach to the crisis and do whatever it takes to keep playing this season even if it means relocating the competition to the country’s north.
“I do have a family and partner but I think as NRL players we have to make big sacrifices. Some boys have it harder than me though but if that’s what it is going to take to keep the game going then we’ll do that,” he said.
Russell Crowe wants “revolutionary thinking” to save the NRL season – and believes the first step could be playing games in the high humidity of regional towns.
Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph
Subscriber only
|
March 18, 2020 9:00pm
Close
South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe has a radical plan to help save the NRL and financially struggling clubs — play games in bush towns where the humidity is high.
Crowe wants matches to be shifted to northern NSW and outback Queensland if the NRL faces being shut down because of the coronavirus.
He nominated the steamy NSW towns of Glen Innes and Moree, as well Queensland towns such as Cloncurry, Longreach, Winton, Mount Isa, Emerald and Barcaldine.
“If we are going to continue our season, some revolutionary thought is going to be required,” Crowe said.
The Hollywood star also suggested players could:
● Use country accommodation, gyms and war memorial pools;
● Be billeted with local families;
● Travel by bus, not plane;
● Avoid playing in well-populated, breezy coastal regional centres;
● Relocate two sides to each country town;
● Use funds banked from the success of State of Origin; and
● Not force any player to shift away from their family.
“As a sport we need to understand our context culturally and stand up for ourselves,” Crowe said.
“If it can be proven correct, I like Wayne Bennett’s idea — based on the information that this particular strain seems to be less potent in warmer climates — to move all teams and coaching squads to northern regional centres. It is worth examining.
“The big cost to the game is not going to be lack of crowds in urban stadiums. The big cost, financially and culturally, is if the game is forced to halt and broadcast revenue dries up.
“There are a lot of little towns with well-lit sports grounds and motel and hotel accommodation, gyms and war memorial pools.
“Bus teams around, no planes, even billet with local families.
“That’s how schoolboy footy teams toured the bush when I was a kid and it would have been a part of every NRL player’s football upbringing.
“It would take some cash and some logistical planning, but making an agreement with the broadcasters and basing every NRL squad in country towns up on the tablelands and west is not an impossible task.
“Inland, away from coastal population and main tourist centres. Great country towns like Glen Innes and Moree in northern NSW and legendary Queensland towns like Cloncurry, Longreach, Winton, Mount Isa, Emerald and Barcaldine.
“We could relocate two teams to each of the eight towns, giving the broadcasters a modest headache of how to broadcast in four regional places across each weekend with two matches in each town.
“That isn’t a difficult equation to solve.”
Crowe proposed using money banked from State of Origin to fund the idea.
“Both the QRL and NSWRL have stashed away millions of State of Origin dollars for regional development,” Crowe said. “They can open their purse strings and contribute.
“What better way to reconnect with the grassroots bush audience and create a side benefit upsurge in the economies of drought, fire and flood-challenged communities than to spend part of a season basing teams in the rugby league heartlands?
“A lot of players are also parents and it might not suit them to leave their families. That has to be accepted, it has to be the players’ choice.”
NRL clubs fear for the game’s long-term future and don’t have the cash reserves to sustain themselves indefinitely.
Players are frightened of passing the virus on to young family members and parents.
Spreading the games would also be an economic boost. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
“We can stand still and let the ‘catastrophe’ — as Mr (Peter) V’landys put it — knock us over or we can move forward right now,” Crowe said.
“If the situation becomes more intense, as some are predicting, and those in the larger urban centres are forced to completely self-isolate, the importance of something very simple like weekly rugby league games could be a deeply significant source of comfort to a great many people.
“We pride ourselves on our never-say-die culture. So let’s make decisions now that benefit the individual players, teams, the sport and wider audience of the game.”
Russell Crowe is a “little disappointed” that the NRL has plans to seek government funding to aid struggling clubs through coronavirus.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys will lobby the Federal Government for cash if matches are cancelled and clubs face the prospect of falling into insolvency within three months.
Crowe though told The Daily Telegraph the government had bigger issues to confront than rugby league.
“I’m a little disappointed that the NRL’s first decision was to go to the government for a handout,” Crowe said.
“I understand they (NRL) are under pressure, but his situation the game is confronted with is more than just about dollars.
“It’s about people. It’s about culture. The Government has a lot to deal with right now.
“The health and wellbeing of the population needs to be the very first priority. Our country has gone through a series of challenges recently — droughts, fires, floods.
“I think that a sport as powerful as rugby league has to put its hand up and be proactive - not put its hand out for taxpayer funds.”
In his appraisal of rugby league’s coronavirus dramas, Crowe referred to John Nash — winner of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences — who the Hollywood actor portrayed in the Oscar-winning A Beautiful Mind.
“The first thought process has to be about how our society ‘flattens the curve’ and reduces the risk of infection across the board,” Crowe said.
“There are also other important questions in play as to the broader health of the community in stressful times like these.
“John Nash’s revolutionary addition to Game Theory was to add that the individual benefits when his/her decisions also benefit the group.”
Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph
Subscriber only
|
March 18, 2020 9:00pm
Close
South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe has a radical plan to help save the NRL and financially struggling clubs — play games in bush towns where the humidity is high.
Crowe wants matches to be shifted to northern NSW and outback Queensland if the NRL faces being shut down because of the coronavirus.
He nominated the steamy NSW towns of Glen Innes and Moree, as well Queensland towns such as Cloncurry, Longreach, Winton, Mount Isa, Emerald and Barcaldine.
“If we are going to continue our season, some revolutionary thought is going to be required,” Crowe said.
The Hollywood star also suggested players could:
● Use country accommodation, gyms and war memorial pools;
● Be billeted with local families;
● Travel by bus, not plane;
● Avoid playing in well-populated, breezy coastal regional centres;
● Relocate two sides to each country town;
● Use funds banked from the success of State of Origin; and
● Not force any player to shift away from their family.
“As a sport we need to understand our context culturally and stand up for ourselves,” Crowe said.
“If it can be proven correct, I like Wayne Bennett’s idea — based on the information that this particular strain seems to be less potent in warmer climates — to move all teams and coaching squads to northern regional centres. It is worth examining.
“The big cost to the game is not going to be lack of crowds in urban stadiums. The big cost, financially and culturally, is if the game is forced to halt and broadcast revenue dries up.
“There are a lot of little towns with well-lit sports grounds and motel and hotel accommodation, gyms and war memorial pools.
“Bus teams around, no planes, even billet with local families.
“That’s how schoolboy footy teams toured the bush when I was a kid and it would have been a part of every NRL player’s football upbringing.
“It would take some cash and some logistical planning, but making an agreement with the broadcasters and basing every NRL squad in country towns up on the tablelands and west is not an impossible task.
“Inland, away from coastal population and main tourist centres. Great country towns like Glen Innes and Moree in northern NSW and legendary Queensland towns like Cloncurry, Longreach, Winton, Mount Isa, Emerald and Barcaldine.
“We could relocate two teams to each of the eight towns, giving the broadcasters a modest headache of how to broadcast in four regional places across each weekend with two matches in each town.
“That isn’t a difficult equation to solve.”
Crowe proposed using money banked from State of Origin to fund the idea.
“Both the QRL and NSWRL have stashed away millions of State of Origin dollars for regional development,” Crowe said. “They can open their purse strings and contribute.
“What better way to reconnect with the grassroots bush audience and create a side benefit upsurge in the economies of drought, fire and flood-challenged communities than to spend part of a season basing teams in the rugby league heartlands?
“A lot of players are also parents and it might not suit them to leave their families. That has to be accepted, it has to be the players’ choice.”
NRL clubs fear for the game’s long-term future and don’t have the cash reserves to sustain themselves indefinitely.
Players are frightened of passing the virus on to young family members and parents.
Spreading the games would also be an economic boost. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
“We can stand still and let the ‘catastrophe’ — as Mr (Peter) V’landys put it — knock us over or we can move forward right now,” Crowe said.
“If the situation becomes more intense, as some are predicting, and those in the larger urban centres are forced to completely self-isolate, the importance of something very simple like weekly rugby league games could be a deeply significant source of comfort to a great many people.
“We pride ourselves on our never-say-die culture. So let’s make decisions now that benefit the individual players, teams, the sport and wider audience of the game.”
Russell Crowe is a “little disappointed” that the NRL has plans to seek government funding to aid struggling clubs through coronavirus.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys will lobby the Federal Government for cash if matches are cancelled and clubs face the prospect of falling into insolvency within three months.
Crowe though told The Daily Telegraph the government had bigger issues to confront than rugby league.
“I’m a little disappointed that the NRL’s first decision was to go to the government for a handout,” Crowe said.
“I understand they (NRL) are under pressure, but his situation the game is confronted with is more than just about dollars.
“It’s about people. It’s about culture. The Government has a lot to deal with right now.
“The health and wellbeing of the population needs to be the very first priority. Our country has gone through a series of challenges recently — droughts, fires, floods.
“I think that a sport as powerful as rugby league has to put its hand up and be proactive - not put its hand out for taxpayer funds.”
In his appraisal of rugby league’s coronavirus dramas, Crowe referred to John Nash — winner of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences — who the Hollywood actor portrayed in the Oscar-winning A Beautiful Mind.
“The first thought process has to be about how our society ‘flattens the curve’ and reduces the risk of infection across the board,” Crowe said.
“There are also other important questions in play as to the broader health of the community in stressful times like these.
“John Nash’s revolutionary addition to Game Theory was to add that the individual benefits when his/her decisions also benefit the group.”
The ARL Commission will have their hands full at a meeting on Thursday, not least a decision on the immediate future of the State of Origin series opener in Adelaide, which Kevin Walters expects to be the latest coronavirus cancellation.
Peter Badel, The Courier-Mail
Subscriber only
|
March 18, 2020 8:45pm
Queensland coach Kevin Walters has dropped a State of Origin bombshell, claiming the series opener in Adelaide could be axed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The ARL Commission will meet on Thursday to discuss a number of matters, including the future of State of Origin, the code’s showpiece event which generates an estimated $150 million a year for the code.
State of Origin was scheduled to make its debut in South Australia for Game One on June 3 _ a series launch was even held in Adelaide last month _ but Walters believes the COVID-19 outbreak will force the event to be delayed.
The possible axing of Origin from Adelaide Oval would be a crushing promotional blow, with Walters suggesting all three games could be held in Sydney in October _ scuppering the end-of-season Kangaroo tour.
“I think given the current climate, where the game is at, they will have to move it from Adelaide,” Walters told The Rush Hour with Dobbo on Triple M.
“Certainly June 3 was game one … it won’t happen in Adelaide.
“So if it does happen, some suggestions have been all three games in Sydney with no crowds, but Origin will make it on TV screens around the world which will be a huge boost for the game.
“There’s every chance of playing in front of empty stands and it’s my thoughts that Origin will go ahead, that’s just my personal opinion, but when it will be scheduled, I don’t know.
“I think if Origin had to be played in October, we would go ahead and do that, that’s best for the game.”
Contacted on Wednesday night, Walters told The Courier-Mail he had been in talks with the Queensland Rugby League about the impact of COVID-19 on State of Origin.
It is understood NRL hierarchy are investigating a number of options including the series being pushed back three months. He insisted the spectacle had to go ahead for the sake of a global television audience.
“There’s been a few scenarios the NRL are throwing around,” he said.
“Playing it at the end of the year could be an option. I’m confident State of Origin will happen this year but we have to make sure the health of safety of everyone is first and foremost.
“If we can do it and everything is cleared, the key is to get Origin on TV, get people talking about it and rugby league.
“There’s a lot of work to be done yet by those leaders in our game Todd Greenberg (NRL CEO) and Peter V’landys (ARLC chairman) around Origin and where it sits.
“By all reports, the Kangaroo tour is gone.”
Walters praised Greenberg and V’landys for doing everything possible to continue the NRL premiership.
“The NRL is doing its best to keep rugby league going, because if it drops off, they may not recover,” he said.
“You see so much happening around the world, we need those smart people to get a vaccine (for coronavirus) happening right now.
“Everybody is hurting in this great world of ours.”
V’landys insists no decision has made been on the Origin opener in Adelaide.
“That’s just speculation,” he said. “We’re meeting tomorrow and we’ll be discussing many things including State of Origin.”
Peter Badel, The Courier-Mail
Subscriber only
|
March 18, 2020 8:45pm
Queensland coach Kevin Walters has dropped a State of Origin bombshell, claiming the series opener in Adelaide could be axed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The ARL Commission will meet on Thursday to discuss a number of matters, including the future of State of Origin, the code’s showpiece event which generates an estimated $150 million a year for the code.
State of Origin was scheduled to make its debut in South Australia for Game One on June 3 _ a series launch was even held in Adelaide last month _ but Walters believes the COVID-19 outbreak will force the event to be delayed.
The possible axing of Origin from Adelaide Oval would be a crushing promotional blow, with Walters suggesting all three games could be held in Sydney in October _ scuppering the end-of-season Kangaroo tour.
“I think given the current climate, where the game is at, they will have to move it from Adelaide,” Walters told The Rush Hour with Dobbo on Triple M.
“Certainly June 3 was game one … it won’t happen in Adelaide.
“So if it does happen, some suggestions have been all three games in Sydney with no crowds, but Origin will make it on TV screens around the world which will be a huge boost for the game.
“There’s every chance of playing in front of empty stands and it’s my thoughts that Origin will go ahead, that’s just my personal opinion, but when it will be scheduled, I don’t know.
“I think if Origin had to be played in October, we would go ahead and do that, that’s best for the game.”
Contacted on Wednesday night, Walters told The Courier-Mail he had been in talks with the Queensland Rugby League about the impact of COVID-19 on State of Origin.
It is understood NRL hierarchy are investigating a number of options including the series being pushed back three months. He insisted the spectacle had to go ahead for the sake of a global television audience.
“There’s been a few scenarios the NRL are throwing around,” he said.
“Playing it at the end of the year could be an option. I’m confident State of Origin will happen this year but we have to make sure the health of safety of everyone is first and foremost.
“If we can do it and everything is cleared, the key is to get Origin on TV, get people talking about it and rugby league.
“There’s a lot of work to be done yet by those leaders in our game Todd Greenberg (NRL CEO) and Peter V’landys (ARLC chairman) around Origin and where it sits.
“By all reports, the Kangaroo tour is gone.”
Walters praised Greenberg and V’landys for doing everything possible to continue the NRL premiership.
“The NRL is doing its best to keep rugby league going, because if it drops off, they may not recover,” he said.
“You see so much happening around the world, we need those smart people to get a vaccine (for coronavirus) happening right now.
“Everybody is hurting in this great world of ours.”
V’landys insists no decision has made been on the Origin opener in Adelaide.
“That’s just speculation,” he said. “We’re meeting tomorrow and we’ll be discussing many things including State of Origin.”
Little Grubber Kick
Bencher
in an rather unusual parallel with the C virus, I actually watched the Storm game with an expectation that it may indeed innoculate me from being bored to death for the rest of the year.......
I think it worked!
As an old Moree boy , wouldn’t that be great for a Bush town doing it tough!!
A couple of good footy ovals there too.
And those magnificent hot springs to fix any injuries!!
Agreed. The world is totally weirded out atm. This virus is baffling.
Not for me. 100 percent behind playing on. With all this ridiculous panic causing economic hardship there’s not much else to do to be honest.
Much more importantly a cancelled season will in all likelihood send us broke.Penn is already pleading to the NRL today and we may be the first casualty.I think we should all be wanting the season to continue or there might not be another one.
Much more importantly a cancelled season will in all likelihood send us broke.Penn is already pleading to the NRL today and we may be the first casualty.I think we should all be wanting the season to continue or there might not be another one.
Last edited:
I think we’d be the first to fold followed closely by Sharks / Titans and Tigers.
And super league would get their 12 team comp.
EOL now nesting on the GC
Official NRL commentator of the UK Royal Family
Premium Member
Tipping Member
If the season gets called off It's just adding fuel to the fire.
Yes its unprecedented in modern times. Yes it's a major world wide issue. Yes we need to take precautions but it's influenza. More deadly than the normal ones yes but it's the Flu. It's not Ebola with a mortality rate of 40%.
Experts and I use that term lightly argue and fight about everything. Here in the uk as of today there are 1800 or so confirmed cases and 60 deaths but the main health doctor says there are probley up to 50000 infected. We just dont know.
My point is people need to work to earn money to buy food and pay Bill's. No work. No money. No food trust me when it all really goes to **** the Covid19 will be the least of our worries. Society is on the brink at the best of times let alone now.
NRL is a job. Let them play. Get paid and provide a service to us as paying patrons but their own families as well.
Yes its unprecedented in modern times. Yes it's a major world wide issue. Yes we need to take precautions but it's influenza. More deadly than the normal ones yes but it's the Flu. It's not Ebola with a mortality rate of 40%.
Experts and I use that term lightly argue and fight about everything. Here in the uk as of today there are 1800 or so confirmed cases and 60 deaths but the main health doctor says there are probley up to 50000 infected. We just dont know.
My point is people need to work to earn money to buy food and pay Bill's. No work. No money. No food trust me when it all really goes to **** the Covid19 will be the least of our worries. Society is on the brink at the best of times let alone now.
NRL is a job. Let them play. Get paid and provide a service to us as paying patrons but their own families as well.
HoldenV8
Journey Man
I've got tickets to the Adelaide game. FMD this sucks, but in a lot of ways I can totally understand it if the game isn't played here.
HoldenV8
Journey Man
When WW2 started and Australia joined England in declaring war on Nazi Germany, the NSWRFL decided to play on, in shortened seasons, reasoning that people at home needed a distraction from the war. The BRL, VFL, SANFL, WAFL and TFL (the last four being Aussie rules competitions) all did the same thing for the same reasons. In some cases (like here in Adelaide with the SANFL), clubs actually had to temporarily merge in order to have sufficient playing numbers as there were players who "joined up", but the competition still went on until the end of the war when things started to return to normal.
Of course, a virus pandemic is something completely different to a war where people are being sent away overseas. Right now we're basically not going anywhere. But the essential thought is still the same. People at home will need a distraction from all the crap that is going on, even if its just for a couple of hours per week.
TBH I'd like to see the league play on. But at the same time it should only be done if the health and safety of the players, the coaches and their staff and any of the NRL officials and others directly involved, is not compromised.
Last edited:
I think the gov is more worried about the economy and mental health than actual health. The gov will be hoping both codes soldier on and provide distraction, so i can not see them hinder or obstruct the NRL .
But, the NRL is a community that seems to attract a high percentage of players hell bent on killing the golden goose. Players breaking camp, curfew, protocol, is just what they do. It is "there Go "
As a result any bold plan and investment will get scuttled by some wanker looking for a root, nose beers or to just travel outside a boundry for no other reason other than they had been told not to.
There is no way the bodies, clubs or nrl will be throwing coin around testing players atm
But, the NRL is a community that seems to attract a high percentage of players hell bent on killing the golden goose. Players breaking camp, curfew, protocol, is just what they do. It is "there Go "
As a result any bold plan and investment will get scuttled by some wanker looking for a root, nose beers or to just travel outside a boundry for no other reason other than they had been told not to.
There is no way the bodies, clubs or nrl will be throwing coin around testing players atm
Anywhere but Gladstone.
It’s absolutely not the flu. They’ve been really clear about it. It’s a strain of Coronavirus.
Users who are viewing this thread
| Team | P | W | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
