The NRL has announced its season will go ahead, but hasn’t ruled out the possibility of cancelling games in the future as the league grapples with the threat of coronavirus,

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg and ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys fronted the media today and confirmed the season, for now, will continue.

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The two remaining matches in round one will be played today and V’landys said round two will also go ahead, but without any fans in attendance, as was previously announced during the week.

V’landys also said everything with this situation is “fluid” and any decision made today “may change tomorrow”.

The league has commissioned biosecurity and pandemic experts to provide advice and Greenberg said if the advice changes, then the NRL’s course of action may change.

V’landys said the options of isolating players and suspending the season remain on the table should the circumstances call for it.

“In the interim we will continue round two. At this stage we will play round two and assess the situation,” V’landys said.

“This can change by the hour. All decisions we will make will have the safety and health of our players as paramount.”

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FINANCIAL HIT WOULD BE ‘CATASTROPHIC’

Greenberg and V’landys admitted the threat of coronavirus is the greatest challenge rugby league has ever faced and said the financial impact of the pandemic would be “catastrophic” if the season is suspended, but didn’t put a specific number on it.

The NRL is asking the government for economic assistance to cope with the financial fallout of fans not being allowed into stadiums from round two, while the league would also take a drastic financial hit if matches were forced to be cancelled, with the NRL’s main income its $2 billion broadcast deal.

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“I can’t stress enough our game has never faced a challenge like this,” V’landys said.

“The longer it takes, the more pressure on our financial viability. It could have catastrophic effects on us going forward.

“We are asking for an economic stimulus (from the government). Rugby League and every other sport should be in consideration.

“We are asking the government to invest not only in the economic situation but the social benefits of rugby league.

“I spent all day yesterday looking into our accounts and all I thought was ‘catastrophic’. It’s very bleak.

“I think there will always be a game but the game as we know it now is in jeopardy.

“We are relying on expert advice. We’re not going to panic but take a measured position.

“There’s more than just the viability of the game. The economic multiplier for us to keep playing is immense. I can’t stress that enough.

“We’re not delaying anything, we’re taking step by step. This is changing by the hour. We’re going to leave every option available.”

WARRIORS STAYING IN AUSTRALIA

The news comes as the Warriors confirmed they will remain in Australia rather than return home to New Zealand.

The NRL team’s players and staff were scheduled to arrive home on Sunday afternoon after starting their season with a loss to Newcastle on Saturday, but are now staying put Down Under.

The decision comes after New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced every person who enters the country will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

If the Warriors returned as per their plan, they would not have been able to play for two weeks and the NRL season would have been thrown into disarray.

Instead, they will remain in Australia and be based on the Gold Coast as they prepare to play Canberra next weekend.

“With the travelling restrictions coming into place, returning to New Zealand would effectively remove us from the competition,” Warriors CEO Cameron George said in a statement.

“We had extensive meetings with (NRL CEO) Todd Greenberg, the Rugby League Players’ Association and our players and staff until late last night to consider all our options.

“There is a lot of take into account, not least the impact on families back home as well as our members, fans, sponsors and other stakeholders.

“Ultimately we have reached a decision for the team to stay in Australia for the coming week. They’ll be based on the Gold Coast and will play Canberra next weekend, probably at Cbus Super Stadium.

“The landscape is changing so rapidly, though, and together with the NRL we’ll monitor the situation on a daily basis.”

Staying in Australia will force Warriors players, including expectant father Peta Hiku, to be away from families for an as-yet indefinite period.

Jess Blair, the wife of Warriors forward Adam, took to Twitter on Saturday night to clarify how this decision would impact her family.

“I would cry!! I have two kids, no family studying my post grad uni and work I have exams, intensives and classes that are completely worked around Adam schedule,” she wrote.