Corona impact on NRL...?

[Sco77y]

We might as well start getting used to the idea that this season isn't getting past round two, three at the outside. Sooner or later, a player or member of support staff is going to test positive and at that point the comp is off.

Personally I think asking the Warriors to stay away from their homes and families in the interests of keeping a competition running that absolutely will not go beyond another fortnight is a shameful decision. The NRL should have cancelled as soon as the news came out of NZ rather than try to string it out.

Basically, with this virus there's a clear choice: do an Italy-style lockdown early so you don't become Italy, or do an Italy-style lockdown late because you've already become Italy.

Problem is the NRL is basically dead with a suspension of the season!

But when a player eventually tests positive, then what?

They’ll need to be bailed out by the government. It’s inevitable the comp will be suspended though imo. That or the NRL somehow transcends the situation that is occurring across all major sports. Only a matter of time, and there’s becoming a lot less of that as things here seem to be escalating daily now.

There will be NO government bail outs they will be struggling to bail out the country .. the NRL are on there own !

V’landys is going to push for it. They sound desperate. Something tells me they’ll be ok though.

 

[WT2K]

Warriors CEO Cameron George says the side are on the verge of pulling out of the NRL.

The Warriors were looking to stay in Australia for one further week at this stage, after crossing the Tasman to play Newcastle Knights.

Originally the Warriors were looking at staying in Australia, so they could remain in the competition by avoiding two-week Government travel self isolation restrictions.

George has returned to New Zealand, telling Stuff on arrival the Warriors had agreed to give it a week, but then all of the players may come back.
.

"It's a reality and it's on the table that we get though this weekend, we've got to make a decision with the players," George said.

"What do we do? Do we continue to live this week by week scenario?

"We gave the players the option. If you want to come home, you can. That could change during the course of the week, players might want to come home during the week.

"The reality is that they'll stick it out for seven days and there's a massive decision to make one way or another."


If they did return to New Zealand they would have to self isolate for two weeks, effectively shutting down their campaign.

"Where we've landed with it is that we're going to lock ourselves in for round two," George said.

"But each day we'll review it with the NRL and what's translating around the globe with the coronavirus.

"I'll talk to the leadership group and the coaching staff every day and one thing I do know is that when we sit down with our playing group and staff once again it will be about what's best for them, their families and balance that out with our obligations for the competition an the NRL."

George said players were close to tears breaking news to their partners that they might remain in Australia.

"I give a lot of credit to our playing group and their resilience around these challenging times," George said.

"More credit to the families, because there were a lot of devastated players there yesterday. There were some grown men with tears in their eyes because it was a difficult period to endure when you don't know what the outcome is going to be."

Regardless of how things play out over the rest of this week. George says he can't see a scenario where the Warriors will play a game at Mt Smart Stadium this season.

"I truly believe unfortunately that I don't think there will be [a home game] at this point in time," he said.

"That's just my assumption, I haven't heard that from anywhere.

"But there is so much unknown, it's only going to take one player to get the symptoms and that will lock down a team and therefore the competition is in disarray."

So far, no NRL player has tested positive for the coronavirus, which is why the NRL are pressing on with the competition.

But once one player catches it, George thinks that could shut down the league.

"I think it will get to a point where are multiple players (catching coronavirus) and to protect everyone they'll have to cease the competition," he said.

"Whether that's for a suspended period of the competition is cancelled for 2020.
"If one club gets it, naturally another clubs going to possibly be exposed to that.

"I wouldn't think it would take much to jeopardise the competition for the year."

George said the financial implications of this for the Warriors are huge. Talks have started with how the NRL can help them out and he was confident they wouldn't be in a situation where the club goes bust.

"[It's ]Massive," he said

"It's a big thing for sport in general. We're a small to medium business that relies on events and our game days are our major events.

"When you have things like this happening, it shuts down our business model, so we've got to work through that with our owners and sponsors."
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120295368/warriors-players-in-tears-at-telling-their-families-theyre-staying-in-australia

 

[Harvey]

We should do a book on which Club gets it 1st..I'll take Manly that scum will ruin it for everyone

Bulldogs. Schools are a known incubator for illness.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Warriors CEO Cameron George says the side are on the verge of pulling out of the NRL.

The Warriors were looking to stay in Australia for one further week at this stage, after crossing the Tasman to play Newcastle Knights.

Originally the Warriors were looking at staying in Australia, so they could remain in the competition by avoiding two-week Government travel self isolation restrictions.

George has returned to New Zealand, telling Stuff on arrival the Warriors had agreed to give it a week, but then all of the players may come back.
.

"It's a reality and it's on the table that we get though this weekend, we've got to make a decision with the players," George said.

"What do we do? Do we continue to live this week by week scenario?

"We gave the players the option. If you want to come home, you can. That could change during the course of the week, players might want to come home during the week.

"The reality is that they'll stick it out for seven days and there's a massive decision to make one way or another."


If they did return to New Zealand they would have to self isolate for two weeks, effectively shutting down their campaign.

"Where we've landed with it is that we're going to lock ourselves in for round two," George said.

"But each day we'll review it with the NRL and what's translating around the globe with the coronavirus.

"I'll talk to the leadership group and the coaching staff every day and one thing I do know is that when we sit down with our playing group and staff once again it will be about what's best for them, their families and balance that out with our obligations for the competition an the NRL."

George said players were close to tears breaking news to their partners that they might remain in Australia.

"I give a lot of credit to our playing group and their resilience around these challenging times," George said.

"More credit to the families, because there were a lot of devastated players there yesterday. There were some grown men with tears in their eyes because it was a difficult period to endure when you don't know what the outcome is going to be."

Regardless of how things play out over the rest of this week. George says he can't see a scenario where the Warriors will play a game at Mt Smart Stadium this season.

"I truly believe unfortunately that I don't think there will be [a home game] at this point in time," he said.

"That's just my assumption, I haven't heard that from anywhere.

"But there is so much unknown, it's only going to take one player to get the symptoms and that will lock down a team and therefore the competition is in disarray."

So far, no NRL player has tested positive for the coronavirus, which is why the NRL are pressing on with the competition.

But once one player catches it, George thinks that could shut down the league.

"I think it will get to a point where are multiple players (catching coronavirus) and to protect everyone they'll have to cease the competition," he said.

"Whether that's for a suspended period of the competition is cancelled for 2020.
"If one club gets it, naturally another clubs going to possibly be exposed to that.

"I wouldn't think it would take much to jeopardise the competition for the year."

George said the financial implications of this for the Warriors are huge. Talks have started with how the NRL can help them out and he was confident they wouldn't be in a situation where the club goes bust.

"[It's ]Massive," he said

"It's a big thing for sport in general. We're a small to medium business that relies on events and our game days are our major events.

"When you have things like this happening, it shuts down our business model, so we've got to work through that with our owners and sponsors."
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120295368/warriors-players-in-tears-at-telling-their-families-theyre-staying-in-australia

Who wrote this, a 5 year old?

 

[voice_of_reason]

Thinking outside the square, Pacific Islands are free of Corona Virus. They should skip round two and test all players now. If negative, sent them to Fiji, if positive, isolate them locally.

Two weeks after all testing start round three in Fiji and play a month there. Let the crowds in for free. Huge league following and no ticket cost means they'd have great crowds and the TV will still broadcast with no timing problems. Families would probably be happy enough to have a month's holiday in Fiji. Play round two later in the year mid-week.

The only issue I see is quality of grounds and training facilities. No-one will be travelling so should be no drama accommodating them. You want to protect the players? Send them somewhere the disease doesn't exist and carry on the comp.

There's probably a hundred reasons why it couldn't work but it sounds more feasible than most other options I've heard.

I like the idea, but logistically it's a nightmare. The expense to keep the players (and their families?) and whatever training staff, and the refs, and the media people, would be huge. I haven't been to Fiji, is there facilities big enough to cater for this? Hotels and such? Playing grounds? Who would pay for it?

Fiji won't have any people travelling there so I'm sure they could cut good deals. You'd charter flights and everyone on board would be known negative - families included. That also eliminates any issue getting back in. Even NZ are allowing Pacfic Island travellers in because there's no virus there.

Accommodation wouldn't be an issue, plenty of rooms but not 5 star. Playing and training facilities would be the bigger issue.

As for who pays. The NRL stand to lose many millions a week right now - let's say they move 1000 players and staff @ $1000 a week, it's only a million week.

As I said earlier, probably a hundred reasons it can't happen, but sometimes the wildest ideas are what work.

 

[cochise]

Thinking outside the square, Pacific Islands are free of Corona Virus. They should skip round two and test all players now. If negative, sent them to Fiji, if positive, isolate them locally.

Two weeks after all testing start round three in Fiji and play a month there. Let the crowds in for free. Huge league following and no ticket cost means they'd have great crowds and the TV will still broadcast with no timing problems. Families would probably be happy enough to have a month's holiday in Fiji. Play round two later in the year mid-week.

The only issue I see is quality of grounds and training facilities. No-one will be travelling so should be no drama accommodating them. You want to protect the players? Send them somewhere the disease doesn't exist and carry on the comp.

There's probably a hundred reasons why it couldn't work but it sounds more feasible than most other options I've heard.

I like the idea, but logistically it's a nightmare. The expense to keep the players (and their families?) and whatever training staff, and the refs, and the media people, would be huge. I haven't been to Fiji, is there facilities big enough to cater for this? Hotels and such? Playing grounds? Who would pay for it?

Fiji won't have any people travelling there so I'm sure they could cut good deals. You'd charter flights and everyone on board would be known negative - families included. That also eliminates any issue getting back in. Even NZ are allowing Pacfic Island travellers in because there's no virus there.

Accommodation wouldn't be an issue, plenty of rooms but not 5 star. Playing and training facilities would be the bigger issue.

As for who pays. The NRL stand to lose many millions a week right now - let's say they move 1000 players and staff @ $1000 a week, it's only a million week.

As I said earlier, probably a hundred reasons it can't happen, but sometimes the wildest ideas are what work.

Suspension of season costs $13m a week in just lost broadcast revenue!

 

[innsaneink]

Forget September holidays WTs fans... Book your holidays in April.... Oh.. Wait

 

[WT2K]

https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/03/15/arlc-and-nrl-covid-19-update/
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) and National Rugby League (NRL) can provide the following update about the game’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership.

However, the Commission stressed that given the fluidity of the situation, all options are on the table and it will continue to act on expert advice, with the health and safety of its players the paramount consideration.


In order to continue to have the best expert advice, the ARLC has commissioned a biosecurity and pandemic expert to determine the best practices to minimise the risk of players being infected. The ARLC acknowledges that future options may include suspending games or isolating players.

In the interim, the NRL Telstra Premiership Season will continue in Round Two with stadiums closed to the general public.

The New Zealand Warriors will relocate to Kingscliff for one week while further work is done on the competition. Their home game against the Canberra Raiders will be played on the Gold Coast.

The NRL will continue to examine short and long term options to assist our clubs in remaining financially viable during this period.

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys said all options remained on the table regarding the completion of the 2020 season.

“All options remain on the table. We will continue to play but we will continue to act on the best and most up to date advice from authorities,” Mr V’landys said.

“The decisions we make today may change tomorrow as the situation is fluid and changing by the hour. My commitment is we will continue to listen to expert advice, be agile, and be ready to move in any direction necessary.

“I can’t stress enough that our game has never faced such challenges. The longer it takes the more pressure on our financial viability. It will have catastrophic consequences to the finances of the game.

“An Australia without rugby league is not Australia.”

Mr Greenberg said the NRL was committed to working with the 16 Clubs to manage the game’s response in the best interests of all involved.


“The rugby league community is a strong team and we will work together to get through this, ” Mr Greenberg said.

“The game has never faced anything like this before and we will do everything we can to keep our players healthy and our game strong.”

 

[WswWt]

I worry about the impact on our club...

 

[innsaneink]

I worry about the impact on our club...

I worry about my family,. My health and my job

 

[Cairnstigers]

I worry about the impact on our club...

We might all need to did deep as true supporters of our club
I would donate the cost of a few tickets if it ment keeping our club alive
I am sure most of us would
As long as we are still all earning money to do so.
Maybe clubs could release special edition memorabilia to help raise funds
I would be in for that
Just a thought

 

[gallagher]

I worry about the impact on our club...

We might all need to did deep as true supporters of our club
I would donate the cost of a few tickets if it ment keeping our club alive
I am sure most of us would
As long as we are still all earning money to do so.
Maybe clubs could release special edition memorabilia to help raise funds
I would be in for that
Just a thought

Wests Ashfiel pokies will keep rolling.

 

[jirskyr]

Personally I think asking the Warriors to stay away from their homes and families in the interests of keeping a competition running that absolutely will not go beyond another fortnight is a shameful decision. The NRL should have cancelled as soon as the news came out of NZ rather than try to string it out.

I think it's totally reasonable. They don't have to stay, but why not ask? These are unprecedented times and there's no blueprint.

Do you mean NRL cancel the whole thing, or just Warriors? If Warriors have to sit out the season, so be it, perhaps the NRL can compensate them and all clubs take an equal hit to enable this to happen. But even the Warriors being out takes the revenues down 1/8 every week, especially for NZ broadcast rights.

It's not fair to ask NRL to shut down operations, any more than it is reasonable to ask any small, mid or large business to shut down right now as well. If you shut down NRL, might as well shut down any non-vital social function such as restaurants, cafes, pubs, sports clubs etc. Because if there's no crowds, exactly what risk to the public is there for having the NRL played every week?

 

[hobbo1]

I worry about the impact on our club...

We might all need to did deep as true supporters of our club
I would donate the cost of a few tickets if it ment keeping our club alive
I am sure most of us would
As long as we are still all earning money to do so.
Maybe clubs could release special edition memorabilia to help raise funds
I would be in for that
Just a thought

Wests Ashfiel pokies will keep rolling.

Exactly...
And it’s not like players on 300k will suffer by losing a few weeks pay .

 

[Guest]

Cammy calling for the season to be suspended. DCE says play on...as does Madge.

 

[WT2K]

Probably put on hold for a few weeks like the rest of the world sporting codes after R2 if we even get R2. Situation changing by the hour.

 

[WT2K]

Cammy calling for the season to be suspended. DCE says play on...as does Madge.

Toddy will listen to cammy

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Cammy calling for the season to be suspended. DCE says play on...as does Madge.

Toddy will listen to cammy

Of course he will. He’ll be running the game on day.

 

[jadtiger]

Cammy calling for the season to be suspended. DCE says play on...as does Madge.

Toddy will listen to cammy

Probably give Cammy another testimonial for the advice

 

[Tiger_Steve]

They are not going to stop the season unless forced to by someone within the club contracting CV. They simply can’t afford it.
So far there are 300 in Aus. This will double by weeks end. So 600 out of 25000000. Not an odds on certainty that an NRL person will get it.