South Sydney boss Blake Solly has branded criticism of the NRL’s plan for a May 28 return as “ill-informed”, arguing it’s almost imperative the game resumes if it has government approval.
The NRL is powering ahead with its plans amid criticism from those outside the sport for looking to resume during the coronavirus pandemic.
Hawthorn AFL president and former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett joined the critics on Sunday, claiming the NRL was irresponsible and putting money ahead of player safety.
The NRL is basing the claim for its return on a letter from the NSW police minister, which confirmed the game could come back provided it offered a safe workplace for players and officials.
And Solly, who has sat on NRL committees during the crisis, said criticism of the code was off the mark.
“Some of the commentary has been ill-informed or misinformed,” Solly told ABC Grandstand.
“There is no way we are going to do anything to put our players or staff at risk.
“We’re not going to do anything the government doesn’t allow us to do or the medical or biosecurity experts don’t recommend we do.
“So if we do start playing again it’s because we have been cleared by the government to do so.”
Solly also argued the game had a responsibility to resume as soon as the government allowed it to.
Most clubs are operating on skeleton staff in their battle to survive, with the Rabbitohs one of the safest franchises but still having about only 10 per cent of their administration still working.
“If we have a position where the government supports our return to play, it’s almost an imperative for our members, sponsors and staff to play,” Solly said.
“We’ve got 60 staff that rely on rugby league playing for their jobs.
“If it’s safe and the government is supporting us playing, why wouldn’t we get these people back to work as soon as we can.
“We are an employer. There is a human cost in not operating and opening our doors.
“If the government tells us it is safe to play then we should be minimising that human cost and getting our people back to work.”
