ABC News (Australia) published this video item, entitled “Twelve NRL clubs to move into Queensland hubs amid NSW COVID-19 outbreak | ABC News” – below is their description.
The NRL is shifting 12 clubs into south-east Queensland for at least a month, following an emergency meeting of the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC).
A worsening COVID-19 outbreak in NSW forced the move, with the ARLC informing the clubs on on Sunday night.
The 10 NSW-based clubs, the Warriors and Canberra Raiders will relocate to dedicated Queensland hubs and play matches out of either Lang Park, Sunshine Coast Stadium or the Titans’ home ground in Robina.
Clubs will begin moving into Queensland by Wednesday. Every club will be permitted a maximum of 41 players and staff while in their hubs.
The three Queensland clubs and the Melbourne Storm, who are based on the Sunshine Coast, will continue to play home matches out of their current home cities.
Allowances will eventually be made for families to join the hubs.
A revised match schedule for the next four rounds, and the location of these fixtures, will be announced during the week ahead.
The call was made after NSW recorded 77 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian anticipating the numbers “will be greater than 100” on Monday.
“The Commission has conducted an extensive risk assessment and it is clear from the current data trends that the risk to the competition is too great to continue playing in NSW right now,” ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said in a statement.
“We are seeing close and casual contacts with links to our game on an almost daily basis.
“Queensland presents much lower risk. The Commission is doing everything we can to keep the competition going.
“By keeping the competition going we keep people employed and ensure the players continue to be paid at their current rate.
“Rugby league is also an escapism for people during difficult times and it’s important we do everything we can so our fans can continue to watch rugby league every week especially whilst in lockdown.”
The NRL has already been forced to move Wednesday’s State of Origin III from Newcastle to the Gold Coast because the NSW government does not want crowds at a major event while dealing with alarming case numbers.
The NRL had been preparing for a worst-case scenario for weeks.
ABC News (Australia) YouTube Channel
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