Covid numbers have V’landys downplaying NSW final
PETER V’landys has all but conceded it has past the point of no return of getting NRL games back into NSW – and that is likely to include the grand final.
While at pains to say there has been no decision made at this point, the ARL Commission chairman conceded on Monday “the data is not looking good”.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s latest Covid update revealed there were 145 new positives with 51 of those infectious in the community.
V’landys said the active cases in the community was the figure which was of greatest concern.
“All I can say to you is that we have always based our decisions on the data and the data is not looking good,” he said. “The data is a great concern.
“And the one we look at is the (51) people who were in the community while infected.
“Unless they get that down there is always going to be the chance of other infections.”
The NRL initially sent all relocated teams to the Queensland hubs for an expected minimum stay of four weeks but that is certain to be extended.
The players come out of quarantine on Wednesday and after that they will at least be allowed to mix in the community, giving them greater freedom than they would be afforded at home.
Asked when a final decision would be made as to whether all the NRL teams would play out of Queensland for the remainder of the season, V’landys said: “The commission has delegated myself and Andrew (Abdo) to follow the data and make the decision accordingly.”
He said the decision on the grand final also remained open. But realistically it is unlikely to be in Sydney and the best-case scenario for the NRL would be to have Queensland and Melbourne get into a bidding war.
While Berejiklian has denied reports the lockdown would be extended to the end of September, she did say it could be weeks before the impact of Sydney’s anti-lockdown protest are reflected in the positive cases.
Given the NRL grand final is scheduled for the first weekend in October, the longer it goes, the less chance Sydney has of hosting the match.