The NRL could be forced to abandon NRL matches this weekend after the Queensland government announced a lockdown of 11 local government areas on Saturday morning.
The decision to lock down parts of the state from 4pm comes after six locally acquired cases of the highly infectious COVID-19 Delta strain were recorded.
Three NRL matches were scheduled for Saturday: Dragons versus Rabbitohs at Rockhampton at 3pm; Knights against Raiders at 5.30pm at at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium; followed by the grand final rematch between the Panthers and Storm at the same venue at 7.35pm.
“We know from that experience that this Delta strain can spread very, very quickly,” said Queensland Deputy Premier Stephen Miles.
The NRL could be forced to abandon games this weekend.Credit:Getty
“We have seen from the experience in other states that the only way to beat the Delta strain is to move quickly, to be fast, and to be strong. That is now the nationally agreed approach.”
Queensland’s chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said football games would not go ahead in the locked down areas this weekend.
“No, there will be no football matches,” Dr Young said. “So, no community sport, no professional sport, nothing for the next three days. Starting as of 4pm today.”
A statement from the NRL before noon suggested Saturday’s games were at long odds of going ahead as scheduled.
“The NRL has today placed all 16 clubs on level 4 biosecurity protocols,” the NRL said in a statement. “All clubs have been advised to inform their players to return to the team hotels and remain at the team hotels until further notice.
“The NRL is working with the Queensland government, clubs and broadcast partners to determine the best course of action for today’s matches.”
The AFL has already postponed three matches that were scheduled to be played in south-east Queensland on Saturday.
The NRL was due to hold an emergency Zoom meeting with all 16 of its clubs at midday.
The Rabbitohs were en route to Rockhampton when the news broke, while the Dragons are waiting at their team hotel in Brisbane for further instructions.
The governing body has relocated the Knights-Raiders game to Townsville.
More to come
Adrian Proszenko is the Chief Rugby League Reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald.
Christian Nicolussi covers rugby league for The Sydney Morning Herald.
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2021-07-31 01:26:21Z
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