Players open to late NRL season

NRL players will be willing to play as many games as possible in 2020 to fulfil the wishes of broadcasters, according to the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA).

The NRL’S revised season format will likely be known by the middle of next week, with yesterday’s Project Apollo meeting now pushed back until then.

That will allow broadcast talks to have wrapped up in time, with some potential negotiations with Nine and Foxtel could be complete as soon as Friday.

It’s expected the regular season will be anywhere from 15 to 22 rounds, plus a State of Origin series played either late in the season or after the finals.

‘‘Players are fully committed to try and maximise the current agreement and fulfil their obligations,’’ RLPA chief Clint Newton said.

‘‘Playing 22 rounds and an Origin series and finals and test matches is something players are all wanting to achieve.

‘‘But again it’s going to come down to desires from broadcasters.’’

Nine has the rights to the Twenty20 World Cup in October and November, which could impact on the network’s desire to have the regular season or finals run too late.

No decision on whether that competition will go ahead is Newton said he had no concerns over the players’ ability to perform in Origin late in the year if the three-match showpiece is scheduled after the grand final.

There has previously been an argument that players would be burnt out before the representative matches come around, with Origin always previously scheduled midseason.

But Newton said he would put his faith in interim chief executive Andrew Abdo to decide, given his experience as a chief commercial officer and expertise on what will sell best.

‘‘I think you would suggest based on historical behaviour of the players, it doesn’t matter when [Origin] is,’’ Newton said.

‘‘They will be up for it.’’ Clubs are eagerly awaiting the outcome of broadcast discussions, given they will affect the value of the reworked season and what their grants will be.

Those decisions are likely to have an impact on future salary caps, particularly if an extended deal is reached.

Australia’s major sporting codes will have to meet a number of federal guidelines in order to return from the coronavirus pandemic.

Australian prime minister Scott Morrison said yesterday new national principles would be set up for sport and recreation to assist state governments.

As well as the NRL, the AFL is also attempting to map its route out of the virus shutdown, with the prospect of competition hubs being floated as one path back.

Morrison revealed that the federal government is looking at ways to help enable sport to take place again.

He said a medical panel would consider three different elements — elite sport, local sport and general recreation such as surfing.

The decision-making process for elite sport would also consider a return to training for Olympic athletes, as well as funding issues. AAP