Perhaps they should rename it the RRL (Roosters Rugby League) when it restarts...
NRL 2020: Unbeaten clubs could be stripped of points in two-conference competition
Phil Rothfield, The Daily Telegraph
April 6, 2020 9:46pm
NRL teams could be stripped of the competition points they won in the opening two rounds of the season under a highly controversial proposal to restart the premiership with two conferences.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal a deduction of points is a serious option being considered by NRL powerbrokers that will outrage fans of undefeated teams Parramatta, Newcastle, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Penrith.
“There are a couple of arguments we need to consider,” Pearce said.
“Players worked their butts off in the off season and won games in the first two rounds.
“But if it’s a different competition format and we start all over again … do they keep them?
“It’s a key point we’ll be discussing on Thursday then passing onto the commission to make the final decision.”
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has played a key role in Project Apollo. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty
Fuelling the fire is the fact Roosters coach Trent Robinson and South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett are both heavily involved in advisory roles with Project Apollo.
The Roosters have not won a game and the Rabbitohs are one from two.
The two champion coaches met with commission chairman Peter V’landys on Monday and both backed the conference system.
However it has been established they will not be involved in the talks about the competition points.
For player welfare reasons, the regular season would be played over only seven weeks because it is considered unreasonable to have players away from their families and loved ones for any longer.
Throw in State of Origin and the finals and it could be only a 14-week season.
“That’s better than us not playing at all,” said one official. “To play each other twice and have players in isolation for 14 weeks is going to create welfare issues.”
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy hates the idea of wiping out the first two rounds.
“I was warned a couple of weeks ago this could happen and it’s not right,” Bellamy said
“You can’t just say they’re null and void. We should just continue the season.
“Those first two weeks were part of the competition and we worked really hard to get two away wins.
“What about the fans – we want them to continue paying membership but then take competition points off them. You can’t.”