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The NRL games will return to Sunshine State when competition resumes after Queensland-based teams have received approval to resume training and travel from the Palaszczuk government.
The Broncos, Cowboys and Titans will receive waivers for group training beginning the Monday after Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk’s endorsement of the restart date proposed by the NRL on May 28.
The ability for Queensland clubs to host the third round games in a restructured draw, to be finalized in the next two weeks, has also been approved by the state government, with Palaszczuk indicating that Suncorp Stadium will also be available. to host at least one Fixture Origin in November.
ARL Commission Chairman Peter V’landys and respective Queensland club CEOs were informed of the state government’s endorsement on Friday afternoon. The prime minister also issued a stern warning after high-profile cases of players not respecting social distancing rules earlier in the week.
“I said I was as eager as anyone else to see the NRL return and I meant it,” said Palaszczuk.
“The only condition was that it did not jeopardize our excellent work that contained the spread of COVID-19 and the Director of Health reports that the NRL plan is viable.”
“The first round games will be played in Queensland and of course I made an offer for a great local final and we are all looking forward to organizing the home state.”
After providing the Queensland government with its 40-page draft biosecurity document last week, the NRL gave further assurances that “home quarantine measures” would prevent further violations.
RLPA CEO Clint Newton said the players were aware of their responsibility to ensure that there were no more incidents related to social distancing.
“We have to respect the process that governments are working through,” he said.
“They have some important obligations to the community at large, but the players and the game are certainly grateful to the Queensland Premier for allowing players to train and travel from Queensland.”
“We were hopeful, but the necessary steps were required to get the green light on it.”
“That has always been the result that we were trying to provide the players, to have as little disruption to their daily lives as possible. To have the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming season.”
V’landys was excited with the government’s permission to proceed.
“This is a critical decision for the rugby league and a victory for the players, clubs, fans and the community at large,” said V’landys.
“I cannot express enough our appreciation to the Queensland Government. I have great respect for the Premier and it is a tribute to her strong leadership that she has kept an open mind during this process.”
“The Queensland government has done a great job of containing the virus and we will not disappoint them.”
“We are implementing the strictest health and safety protocols for our players and staff to protect their health and that of the community.”
“I have emphasized the importance of this with our players and staff and they understand that for the future of our game, they are expected to adhere to higher standards than the general public.”
“We will not drop the prime minister, or Queensland.”
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The Queensland government’s decision was received with special gratitude by the Cowboys given the lengthy journey required to move NSW from Townsville, where the club could also only play one game at its new $ 293.5 million stadium before the forced closure by coronavirus. of the NRL.
“We are delighted with today’s confirmation that NRL clubs have received permission to travel across the Queensland border, allowing us to play our local games from our new Queensland Country Bank Stadium,” read a statement from the Cowboys.
The Queensland government’s significant backing comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison said authority for the return of major sports codes would rest with each state, not the National Cabinet.
“Ultimately, those decisions will be made in those states, but they will be made on the set of consistent medical councils and that should help those codes and how those problems are progressing,” he said.
Morrison reiterated that the Warriors’ official approval to fly to Tamworth and isolate themselves before a return to training and play games rested with Australian Border Force officers, and would be decided in due course.
The ABF released a statement on Friday after its press conference: “The [Warriors] the request is still being considered pending approval of the national principles of the National Cabinet meeting today. “
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Meanwhile, Melbourne awaits clarification from the Victorian government about restrictions around group training that will determine if they can resume operations outside of AAMI Park.
If Victoria’s COVID-19 restrictions remain in place, Craig Bellamy’s team will move across the New South Wales border to Albury or Mulwala, where the team would be under a strict self-isolation regime Monday through Friday before returning to Melbourne on the weekends.
The prime minister was also questioned about grassroots sport and said they would gradually recover it, initially involving small groups in outdoor activities.
