WE WILL FIGHT BACK

NRL VOWS TO RISE AGAIN AFTER SHUTDOWN

WHETHER it is sheer hope or the same wilful determination that spurred the Cowboys to the 2017 grand final, the NRL has vowed it will rise again.

The game put its season on indefinite hiatus yesterday amid the evolving coronavirus pandemic. But NRL bosses are adamant the game will return as soon as it is deemed safe for players to get back on the field.

And the Cowboys are of the same belief, with Paul Green declaring on Foxtel’s NRL 360 last night the game was “not going anywhere”.

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Green said he believed a decision to suspend the season in wake of the coronavirus pandemic had probably become inevitable.

“If you look at other parts of the world and what has happened there, I think it was probably only a matter of time. But I think it has been commendable the way the game has hung in there as long as they have,” he said.

“Rugby league is a fairly resilient game. I think we have shown that over our whole history for 100-odd years.

“I think everyone needs to remember, as tough as it is today hearing that news, we will be back as a game. We’re not going anywhere. It is just a matter of time.

“We have to deal with some pretty important things as a game and as a society. But once that passes over we will be back on track and we will be back playing football.”

The NRL remains hopeful of finishing the 2020 season, as clubs and players remain hopeful of hoisting the premiership trophy at the end of the year. But they may have to wait until November or even as late as December to do it, as the NRL continues to map out a growing list of contingency plans.

“Absolutely I can (see us getting through this), rugby league has been around since 1908 and we have faced many different challenges and come out the other side. I can assure you rugby league can rise again,” NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said.