Saturday NRL matches postponed as Queensland lockdown throws game into chaos

The NRL schedule has been thrown into chaos with all three Saturday games officially postponed due to Brisbane’s COVID-19 lockdown.

Club bosses received an email from the NRL on Saturday afternoon informing them of their plans to postpone the South Sydney-St George Illawarra game, as well as the Suncorp Stadium double-header featuring Canberra against Newcastle and Penrith against Melbourne.

There remains a slim chance Sunday’s two games will proceed.

“The NRL respects the decision of the Queensland Government to keep the community safe and healthy following local transmission of COVID-19 in south-east Queensland,” the NRL said in a statement. “The NRL is continuing discussions with the Queensland government to possibly play matches tomorrow.”

The Rabbitohs-Dragons game at 3pm in Rockhampton had been postponed earlier, with the Souths players learning of the news once they touched down in Rockhampton. They did not leave the plane and flew straight back to the Gold Coast.

The Raiders and Knights were expected to board a hurriedly arranged flight to Townsville to play, but that idea was quickly knocked on the head.

Canberra officials then reached out to the ACT government about hosting the Knights game on Sunday and, while they welcomed the NRL fixture, both teams would need to leave Queensland before Saturday’s 4pm lockdown.

The NRL could be forced to abandon games this weekend.Credit:Getty

There was also uncertainty about the players trying to return to Queensland.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys was due to speak at 2.30pm.

The latest decision follows the Queensland government’s announcement on Saturday morning of a lockdown for 11 local government areas.

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.

“We know from experience that this Delta strain can spread very, very quickly,” Queensland Deputy Premier Stephen Miles said.

“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 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.”

“The NRL has today placed all 16 clubs on level four 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.

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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