NRL to play 20 round competition with Grand Final on October 25
The NRL will recommence as a 20 round competition on May 28, with the Grand Final being played on October 25.
The first two rounds of the competition will be counted and the current competition table will remain in place when action gets back underway.
The competition draw will be determined within the next two weeks, including timing of State of Origin which will be played after the Grand Final – which has played the Ashes series between England and Australia in serious doubt.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said: “Today is a landmark day for rugby league in 2020.
“This is a great outcome for our players, fans, partners and stakeholders and I’m extremely appreciative for the co-operation and support from Hugh Marks (Nine chief executive) and Patrick Delany (Foxtel chief executive). Both have always acted in good spirit and have demonstrated how partners work together.
“It’s safer now to play than it was in round two when we were playing. The daily infection rate in NSW was 25.79% when the last game was played.
“It has been now less than 1% in NSW for the last 18 days and is continuing to drop. There has also been a significant improvement in the recovery rate, being 75% in NSW and 83% in Australia.
“Our players will be safer under our protocols than they would be as regular members of the community.”
Training will recommence for all clubs on May 4 and the New Zealand Warriors are expected to arrive in Australia on Sunday, where they will serve 14 days quarantine in Tamworth.
Watch NRL and live stream every NRL game to keep up with how Tom Burgess, John Bateman, Ryan Sutton, Elliott Whitehead, James Graham, George Williams and all the others are getting on Down Under.
Watch our Last Tackle podcast, featuring a guest, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on YouTube.
Listen to The Final Hooter podcast, featuring exclusive interviews, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on Apple Podcasts.
More on site
Rugby League Today: Smith sends out warning, RFL remove £15k rule & RL to follow football’s lead
Ralph Rimmer highlights importance of rugby league in working class areas
Rochdale set for “very special” year in 2021, insists chairman Andy Mazey
Jon Wells: Castleford staff working tirelessly to ensure club survives