STATE’S CHARGE AT NRL

BRING LEAGUE TO QLD:

THE push to relocate the entire NRL to Queensland has gained momentum after Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook urged the game to fasttrack the season resumption in the Sunshine State.

The NRL is investigating how the season can resume following the indefinite suspension of the 2020 premiership last week.

The league is hoping to restart the season by July 1, but the coronavirus pandemic has been changing so rapidly, the NRL is canvassing a raft of options to get back on the field.

Among them has been basing the entire competition, more than 500 players and staff, in a central location and isolated from the public.

Super coach Wayne Bennett first touted the idea, and the NRL has received proposals from accommodation facilities in Calliope, near

Gladstone, and Tangalooma on

Moreton Island.

The NRL committee has not ruled out the concept and the Queensland Government is prepared to offer the code an exemption to cross the state border without having to serve 14-day quarantine protocols.

With the NRL fast running out of cash reserves, an abandoned season could have dire consequences.

In his first season as an NRL head coach, Holbrook said the league should seriously consider playing four rounds in Queensland to get the season back on track.

The one-location competition would require those involved to make sacrifices by leaving their families and remaining locked in camp.

But Queensland Origin coach Kevin Walters said the NRL had to do everything it could to get the season back underway.

“I’m in favour of whatever it takes to get our game back playing,” he said.

Picture: AAP IMAGE/CAMERON LAIRD FOOTY ACTION: The Cowboys’ Jason Taumalolo is pictured in action during Round 1 against the Broncos at Townsville on March 13. The NRL is looking at relocating the competition to Queensland to get the season started again.