NRL 2020: coronavirus, COVID-19 situation news as it happens

NSW coach Brad Fittler has cast doubt on the national team’s hopes for Nathan Cleary, Josh Addo-Carr and Latrell Mitchell after their gaps in social distancing.

Fittler was furious with the representative trio, who all played a part in the Blues’ successful title defense last year, with Addo-Carr and Mitchell also winning kangaroo shirts at the end of the season.

Speaking on Wide World of Sports radio Wednesday night, Fittler said he would not select them if it was time to choose his Origin squad, but he left the door open for them to redeem themselves before this year’s rescheduled series begins in November.

“If we were choosing the team right now, definitely not,” he said.

“We made a point a couple of years ago, everything is taken into account.

“They need to understand that they have put everyone under pressure and that is why it is sometimes easier to say, you know what, go and rest, see what you can do for your club.”

“I don’t delete anything because a lot can happen in six months.”

Very public slips, a lesson for everyone: Graham

Sharks captain Wade Graham believes four players’ “very public mistakes” will be a wake-up call for everyone as the NRL tries to put everything in place for the May 28 restart.

Panthers star Nathan Cleary, Souths fullback Latrell Mitchell, winger Storm Josh Addo-Carr and Knights squad member Tyronne Roberts-Davis have been fined for violations of the social distancing measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Graham told Triple M on Wednesday night that all players should be aware of the consequences of going off the line.

Earlier in the day, NSW Premier Premier Gladys Berejiklian said players who break social distancing guidelines could jeopardize the sport’s chances of gaining government approval for competition to restart.

“I have seen in the last few days the failures very public and it is not ideal for the game. I hope all players have learned their lesson if they were liberal with the rules and can really block it, moving forward,” he said.

“First of all, we need to create a safe environment to play again and also do our part as the rest of the community to get Australia back up and running as soon as possible.”

Graham, who is a member of the RLPA board, said the players were waiting for more information from the NRL on safety protocols before returning to training.

The teams are ready to regroup for an information day at each club on Monday before returning to training camp on Tuesday.

Meninga: t-shirts of representatives on the line

Mal Meninga acknowledges that the weekend camping trip that has left incumbent Kangaroos stars Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr in Aguas Calientes could see them lose their places on the national side.

The Australian coach joined a growing chorus of past players who expressed their disappointment at the pair after NSW police fined them $ 1,000 for allegedly violating social distancing laws last weekend.

They were fined $ 50,000 Tuesday by the NRL with Tyronne Roberts-Davis and Nathan Cleary fined $ 10,000. All four players also received a one-game ban, which was suspended for the remainder of the season, after the NRL announced that they had discredited the game.

60% of the fines were also suspended for the rest of the season.

Mitchell and Addo-Carr were indicted by the New South Wales Police for firearm offenses. Mitchell, 22, received a Notice of Future Court Assistance for the crime of giving firearms to unauthorized persons by license / permit.

The Rabbitoh star had her firearms license suspended with several firearms seized by the police.

Meninga said the damage could persist with both players before Australia’s next test match, which could even go into the 2021 season.

“They have shown that you cannot trust that sphere, so for me, it makes me see if they deserve a green and gold shirt,” Meninga said in the Fox League.

“We have a value system that is really important to the way we do things. One of those things is being good role models.”

“When you put on the green and gold shirt, you accept that the cloak is a leader in our game and in the community.

“Those two guys know you can’t get into groups of more than two people. We know that. It is blatant to ignore the rules, they are not just rules, but legally.”

“You are ignoring the legal laws of this country.”

The movement of the warriors will bring the squad closer: Walters

Queensland coach Kevin Walters believes the Warriors could become a more united group if they have to move to Australia for an extended period.

The time the club will need to spend outside New Zealand will be determined later this week, with the club awaiting details on the NRL’s competition structure, as well as advice from state and federal governments before committing to a temporary basis, likely at Lennox. Head to the north coast of New South Wales.

Walters told Sky Sports Radio on Monday morning that he believed the players and staff would form a strong bond by making a joint sacrifice of being together away from their base of operations.

“Many of those players would have toured abroad for two to three months while their wives and families would not be attending,” said the former representative for Maroons and Kangaroos.

“I see it as a huge advantage: the amount of time those guys will spend together.”

Premier to meet NRL at Queensland clubs

The NRL will meet with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk of Queensland this week to work through the participation of the NRL from Brisbane, North Queensland and Gold Coast.

The prime minister, who on Sunday announced a reduction of COVID-19 restrictions starting this weekend that will allow Queenslanders to leave their homes for recreation, has already received a detailed NRL plan on comprehensive biosecurity measures. that will be implemented as part of a month of May. 28 restart competition.

Warriors wanting to move but waiting for details

The Warriors will arrive in Australia in a week, but CEO Cameron George says they won’t leave New Zealand until they know all the details of the renewed NRL competition.

“So there is still a lot of water that will flow under the bridge for us in the next seven days,” George said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.

“The most important thing is what we need to discover, and I guaranteed the players that no one will get on the plane until we have information on what the competition looks like. The most important thing for these guys is to understand the risk versus the reward. That goes back to the player compensation.

“So those discussions are clearly going to fall off the back of any broadcast deal that’s going to happen in the next few days.”

NRL and streaming partners Nine and Foxtel agreed to start the games on May 28, but the number of rounds has yet to be determined.

The Warriors plan to leave Auckland next Sunday so they can start training the next day in line with the other 15 NRL clubs. The squad must also be placed in complete isolation for two weeks in accordance with Australian government quarantine rules on international travelers.

“No waiver has been applied to us so far, so today, being a Sunday, we are still waiting to hear from the NRL and the Australian federal government about whether we can leave next week or not,” said George.

“And whatever the call, we will certainly respect it.”

If the travel bans still apply, Warriors will isolate themselves without contact from outsiders. They will then have a week of normal activity before games begin on May 28.

George said that all the players and staff knew they could be away from home for some time, but they all agreed that they wanted to be part of the competition.

“The playgroup is certainly collective in its position. They remain as one and agree that we have to go to Australia next week for an indefinite period, with families arriving at a later date,” he said, referring to when Border controls between Australia and New Zealand were lifted.

George said he would bring a full team and a full complement of football department staff. The location of their camp was still up in the air.

“At this stage, we are talking about Lennox Head, but we are still in the hands of the state government and the federal government about all those approvals. Our players are prepared to go where they need to go for the blockade and get ready for the competition.

“But we still have to finish that, so there are things to discover in the next seven days about whether or not we come to Australia. Of course we are fighting to get the best we can.”

Origin ready to be at the end of the season

ARL Commission Chairman Peter V’landys has explained why the NRL is slated to move the home state series to the end, rather than the middle, of a shortened 2020 season.

And he’s also interested to see if an app can be used so fans can attend games safely or if the NRL should follow the idea of ​​Blues coach Brad Fittler’s vote, if a limited number are allowed. of followers in the parties of the State of origin.

V’landys told Triple M on Saturday that after he and the league’s two broadcast partners Nine and Foxtel met on Friday and agreed on May 28 as the return date for Telstra’s Premier, then they discussed how many rounds would be involved and where Origin would sit

“We have some small details to finalize with the broadcasters and we hope that this will be done next week,” he told Triple M.

But when it comes to Origin, V’landys said there were two main factors to sustain him after the grand finale.

“There are two reasons for it to be at the end of the season. One is the possibility that we have crowds, not the crowds in which we have a normal State of origin, but a limited crowd with social distancing,” he said.

“And there are some ideas we have to reward emergency workers, and that came from one of the television stations, which I think is a very good idea,” V’landys said, not specifying whether that meant the front so much. doctor like the forest fire. line workers.

But he took the lead on Fittler’s idea last week that a vote could be held to look for fans, who would be attending.

“There is another [idea] where we put people in an app if you’re an unconditional supporter, and you can stay home for 14 days and isolate yourself and track you in the app, then you can go to the game, “he added.

The second reason for Origin’s postseason was justice at all 16 clubs.

“But for me it is also about the integrity and authenticity of the competition. Because fewer rounds will be played, no matter where we land in the rounds, there will be less than in previous years,” he said.

“He wants to leave the roster for the clubs to make it to the final. With State of Origin mid-season, with fewer rounds, the teams that provide the majority of the players will be at a disadvantage.”

“So, to make it credible and authentic, that’s one of the reasons that led me to have it at the end of the year. It gives each club the opportunity to reach the final.”

Following Todd Greenberg’s departure as CEO on Monday, V’landys is more than happy to keep NRL chief commercial officer Andrew Abdo as interim CEO for as long as it takes.

“Our focus right now is to recommend the season and the cost structure of the game. The cost structure is not sustainable. At some point it was going to be a train accident, the coronavirus just introduced it,” he said.

“Those things need to be done now. We can’t wait three or four months until a new CEO comes in. I’m going to take my time with the appointment of a new CEO because I think our priority right now is to start the game.”

May 28 blocked after TV deals

The NRL will restart on the proposed date of May 28 after ARL Commission Chairman Peter V’landys reached an agreement with broadcast partners Channel Nine and Fox Sports on Friday.

The length of the season has yet to be confirmed, and a decision is expected early next week.

A 17-round campaign is shaping up to be the minimum number of games to be played, but broadcasters have significantly endorsed the Premiership Telstra return to play date.

The Home State series is believed to take place after the grand finale, pending consultation with the RLPA, states, and clubs.

V’landys had admitted Friday that the game’s streaming partners “had a different vision than the other” regarding how long the season lasts, but told NRL.com that all parties are now aiming to restart the game within of one month.

“We are united on the start date, the target date is May 28,” V’landys told NRL.com on Friday night.

Prime Minister’s Border Plan Raises Warriors’ Hopes

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has indicated that Australia will reopen its borders to New Zealand when it is safe to do so, as the rates of COVID-19 infection in each country decrease significantly.

In what could be good news for the Warriors in their bid to avoid a long relocation to Australia when the NRL makes its proposed return on May 28, he said at a news conference Thursday that he has discussed reopening the border. with New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern.

However, neither country should designate a date for when travel between the two nations will be allowed.

“If there is any country in the world that we can reconnect with first, it is certainly New Zealand,” said the Australian prime minister.

“We have similar trajectories, their restrictions have been much greater.

“Our [COVID-19] the response to the case has been the same, if not better than New Zealand. “

On Wednesday night, ARL Commission Chairman Peter V’landys suggested that the New Zealand Warriors be based in Sydney to prepare for the restart of the NRL on May 28 until border restrictions are lifted.

And he believes that non-New South Wales teams may not have to be state-based for long as the rate of coronavirus infection continues to decline, which should push state governments to ease their border restrictions.

Following ARL Commissioner Wayne Pearce’s announcement that the teams would resume training on May 4 before the planned competition restarted 24 days later, V’landys told Channel 10 Wednesday afternoon that he was trying to create a level playing field for the Auckland-based club. .

“One of the most important things is that we want to be fair to all teams and we should have the New Zealand Warriors here in the third [of May] They will also start training the room in a quarantine center where they will be alone and continue training, which is the precedent that was set when they were here the last time.

“At this stage they will be based in Sydney and we are still looking for the support of Queensland and Victoria and as the infection rate continues to decline I think by May 28th those things could change and if they don’t change by then I don’t I will do”. I think it’s going to be a long time after that.

“So I think the players think they are going to be in Sydney for weeks, I don’t think that will happen. I think the borders will open up.”

Players must follow safety rules or face sanctions.

Announcing that the NRL had promised to restart on May 28, ARL Commissioner Wayne Pearce reminded players that they would have to comply with security protocols.

Pearce, who on Wednesday said teams could resume training on May 4 before Telstra’s Premier League restarts 24 days later, said all players and club officials should make sure to follow the guidelines due to concerns. not only for their health but also for the general public.

“In terms of punishment for the players if they don’t adhere or the club officials if they don’t adhere, that’s something we’re working on as we speak,” Pearce said.

“That is something that we want to consult with those stakeholders so that we get some feedback and it can be fair and reasonable.

“But we are not going to compromise the standards of behavior and the actions that will be required.”

V’landys: safety standards will be a benchmark for all sports

ARL Commission Chairman Peter V’landys believes the safety protocols the NRL is seeking to institute when the season restarts will be the benchmark for all sports to follow.

The ARL Commission met Tuesday and the Apollo Project Innovations Committee will meet again Wednesday to discuss plans surrounding the proposed start date of May 28 for the Telstra Premiership to start again.

Thursday marks a month since the competition was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“They are very comprehensive and I think they will be the benchmark for other sports,” V’landys told AAP referring to the security protocols planned by the NRL.

“It has been compiled with all the different experts. [Apollo committee members] Troy Grant and Wayne Pearce have done a fantastic job and I think anyone who sees them will realize that the risk is minimal.

“There will be minimal risk to players and the community.

“And they would probably be at greater risk if they didn’t play than if they played.”

Mary leaves the door open for Frizell to stay

Paul McGregor not only wants Tyson Frizell to stay with the Dragons for the rest of the year, but he has left the door open for him to re-sign despite the star striker agreeing with Newcastle.

Frizell announced last month that he would be heading to the Knights next season in a three-year deal, but the NRL has paused all contracts that came amid the competition shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

A Sydney Morning Herald The report earlier this week indicated that the Knights would be happy to accommodate Frizell to come to the club when he resumes this season, but McGregor told the Big Sports Breakfast on Tuesday morning that such a scenario would not happen.

“It is very difficult to see a player like that leave his organization, but saying that we are a professional sport and that you don’t always get what you want,” said McGregor.

“I wish him all the best because he has been a great player at the club and he still has the season to finish in the Saints with us before beginning that journey.”

“I’m not sure if that contract has been registered by the NRL yet or how it works, but it’s always welcome if you want.”

Meninga favors the end of the year

Mal Meninga believes the home state series would be a natural fit at the end of the season on a rescheduled NRL schedule.

But the Kangaroos coach hopes the international rugby league will still be able to settle in at the end of the year, when the ARL Commission outlines how the rest of the season will play when the NRL returns from the break caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In the original 2020 schedule, the Australian team was due to play New Zealand in October before traveling to England for three events.

“I think it’s a feasible option to have Origin [at the end of the season]Meninga told Fox League Live.

“Origin is a very important part of the rugby league calendar. He is obviously a great revenue collector, and at the end of the year I think it is not a bad idea because at that point the crowds could also be allowed to return to the stadium “

“Being an internationalist, I still want to do my best for the international game and play after that, but that may fade away.”

Greenberg resigns as CEO of NRL

Todd Greenberg has resigned from his position as CEO of NRL, effective immediately, after four years in charge of the game.

Greenberg announced his departure in a statement issued by the NRL on Monday afternoon saying it was a mutual agreement with the Australian Rugby League Commission.

Monday is his last day on the job with NRL Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Abdo, taking over as acting CEO.

ARL Commission Chairman Peter V’landys thanked Greenberg for his contribution to the game.

“The NRL chief executive role is one of the most challenging and difficult roles in Australian sport, with a diversity of passionate stakeholders,” said V’landys.

State governments await NRL proposal

New South Wales Deputy Prime Minister John Barilaro confirmed that the state government will consider allowing non-New South Wales-based teams to enter regional cities with the advice of health experts in an attempt to adapt to the restart. planned competition.

Barilaro said teams could access facilities such as recreation centers and training camps while housed with limited contact with the local community.

The NRL is expected to present a proposal to state governments on Wednesday after Tuesday’s ARLC meeting.

“I have always said from the beginning, it is about the protocols and measures that will be implemented to protect one, the players and two, the community,” Barilaro said at a press conference on Monday.

“But you are already allowed to travel to the regions for work.

“So if you look at NRL sport, it’s an industry, it’s a job for those players, it’s related to work. We’ve never said anything more than that.”

“Of course the message for the regions right now and for everyone is not to travel to rural and rural New South Wales and that is to protect the community.

“But in a contained environment that uses closed and closed facilities, such as our sports and recreation centers, it has the ability to manage risk, and that’s what we’re talking about.”

“There are many opponents and obstacles, but as deputy prime minister, I am helping and working with the NRL to find solutions.”

Meanwhile, Queensland Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk has reopened a case to play State of Origin by the end of the year in Queensland despite declaring last week that no more games will be played at Suncorp Stadium in 2020, including the match. at the Maroons’ scheduled home.

After announcing that no new Covid-19 cases had been reported in Queensland for the first time in 81 days, Palaszczuk said he had been in talks with QRL President Bruce Hatcher in the past few days.

“As I said from day one, by the end of the year we will be open to that if the health council says we are in a position to do so,” said Palaszczuk.

The cowboys have not yet discussed the possibility of relocation

Paul Green says the Cowboys haven’t had the idea of ​​being moved to a NSW location for a few months so that the NRL can resume games without having to worry about interstate travel restrictions.

One option raised around the resumption of competition on May 28 would be to have the five clubs outside of NSW – Cowboys, Broncos, Titans, Storm and Warriors – put themselves in a virtual quarantine situation until the travel rules COVID-19 relax.

Former Broncos captain Darius Boyd said that if the length of time was as long as a four-month stay, he wouldn’t want to spend as much time away from his wife and children to keep his mental health under control.

Green was asked on the Channel Nine Sunday Footy Show if any Cowboys player had expressed a similar reluctance.

“We really haven’t [discussed it] however, because once that conversation begins, so many questions will arise that we cannot answer, “Green said.

“There is still so much up in the air that we haven’t really taken that path seriously yet.”

“I will say that we are committed to getting the composition back and we will do what we can. But we have to balance that with what is feasible and what is healthy for our players.”

In the second round, the last week before the NRL closed, the Cowboys flew to Sydney on a chartered flight, went straight to ANZ Stadium to play the Bulldogs at 8 p.m., then returned to Townsville later that night to ensure further biosecurity measures around staff and players.

Green said his club would be willing to do it on a weekly basis once the game resumes.

“That preparation was very different. It was not the worst preparation we have ever had, so I think it could easily become the new ‘norm,'” Green said.

“One of the challenges is how long you actually spend on the ground. You don’t want to be too early and you don’t want to be too late either. So you’re finding the sweet spot of that.”

Graham’s first wish when the pandemic ends

James Graham knows what his first moves will be once people can move freely around the world.

One of several English players hired for NRL clubs 17,000 kilometers away from their families, Graham feels the strain of that distance, especially when his country is being hit by the pandemic.

“I really want to convince my parents, I never thought I would say that,” Graham told Offsiders on ABC.

“They have been making it difficult in England. They have had to separate. I have a sister who works as a nurse and still lives at home, so Dad lives with another sister.”

“So I am looking forward to them getting here, and I hope they will survive everything, and just hug them.”

“On a personal level, and day by day, I hope to be able to sit in a cafe instead of having to take away food. I enjoy watching the world go by.”

Fittler floats origin ticket idea

NSW coach Brad Fittler has a novel idea to help create some atmosphere if crowds are not allowed in all three Origin games in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Fittler says he hopes the suggestion to put the Origin series at the end of the season, in other words, after the rounds and club finals are over, will give additional time for the COVID-19 public sanctions to be lifted.

He said the game needed to “think outside the box” to attract fans to the stadiums.

“The origin is about the fans, to be sure,” Fittler told Triple M on Saturday.

“When you talk about [possibility] without fans, it really puts a big question mark.

“Fans really put pressure on the game and also allow for excellence: players really stand up under pressure.

“The last thing I heard was that Origin could be played by the end of the year and that seems like a great idea. It gives us the opportunity to have fans there.

“But I have even thought about something else. There are many people who like the State of origin who could go on the ballot, isolate themselves and convince us that they will appear pleasant, healthy and without a crown.”

We concede that the idea would have to be approved by the NRL, various government health and medical authorities, but Fittler feels that the Australian outlook would look very different in six months and such an idea could be adapted.

“It could be a great story, a great commitment not only for the players, but also for the fans,” Fittler said.