NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has revealed the league has begun exploring ways at continuing this year’s season without the Warriors.
The New Zealand club are currently in Kingscliff in northern NSW preparing for their round-two match against Canberra due to travel restrictions in their country.
However the Warriors have yet to commit to staying in Australia post-game, raising concerns about their possible exclusion for the rest of the season.
Both New Zealand and Australian governments have required all international arrivals to self-quarantine for at least a fortnight due to the coronavirus.
“It’s very possible to continue the competition if the Warriors want to go home,” Greenberg said on Monday.
“Of course we want all 16 clubs playing in the competition, but that’s a step that is a scenario and we’ll only get to that after this weekend.”
It is unclear whether the Warriors will return home following their “home” game at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.
“At the end of round two, they’re going to make some key decisions. None of those decisions are made yet,” Greenberg said.
“We understand that they have to make their own decisions. But we are trying to look at it in the context of the whole competition.”
A 15-team competition is one of several avenues being considered as the game desperately attempts to continue in the midst of the pandemic.
“We’ve got a small room in here (Rugby League Central), call it the second bunker if you like,” Greenberg said.
“We’ve got staff literally running through draw after draw and permutations of lower numbers of teams. We’re working through all of that, so we can try to deal with it when it’s presented.”
Asked what it meant for this season if the Warriors returned home, Greenberg said: “It means they’d be back in New Zealand not playing in the NRL competition until such time as this virus has passed. So we’ll be playing with 15 clubs, not 16.”
Another idea being considered by the league is flying all 16 teams into the northern part of the country in a bid to continue their season.
A north Queensland resort has already offered to host what would be expected to be up to what could be 1000 players and staff.
“(The) further up north you go, the lower variety of coronavirus. They’re very small numbers up through Queensland and above,” Greenberg said.
“So clearly in warmer climates, there’s some opportunities for us to think about.
“We’re modelling it. It’s not as far-fetched as some people might think. I’m not suggesting we’re doing it, but it’s certainly not off the table either.”
