The NRL's bid to restart the premiership has escalated, with an infectious disease expert to be consulted to provide further advice after the short-term prediction of its pandemic expert did not come to fruition.

While no one at Rugby League Central will admit it publicly, privately there are some who believe the game pulled the pin prematurely and that if it had held on for another week - or had sought additional advice - it could have implemented strict isolation and testing measures around its teams that would have allowed the game to continue behind closed doors in a remote location.

The NRL will call on the advice of an infectious disease expert as it ramps up its push to return to competition as early as next month. Credit:AP

As it stands, the NSW government hasn't shut the door on sport after key government exemptions signed off by health minister Brad Hazzard left the door ajar for the season to return.

The consultation of an infectious disease expert is another signal of the NRL's intent to resume the competition as early as next month.