A grateful North Queensland believe they can hit the ground running when the NRL resumes after being allowed to train and play on home soil by the Queensland government on Friday.
Queensland’s NRL teams the Cowboys, Brisbane and the Titans have avoided relocating to NSW for the 2020 season after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk opened the state’s border ahead of the competition’s planned resumption on May 28.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the Queensland government for today’s decision granting our club an exemption to remain in North Queensland to both train and play at home for the recommencement of the 2020 NRL season,” a Cowboys statement said.
“Today’s decision is a result of the state government’s review and acceptance of the health and biosecurity protocols submitted by the NRL, which take into account the safety and wellbeing of the community, players and coaching staff.”
It ensured the Queensland clubs can remain at their home base for the season, scrapping contingency plans they had made to relocate to NSW hubs.
The Cowboys had organised to be based at Sydney’s Olympic Park while the Broncos looked set to relocate to Kingscliff and the Titans at Tweed Heads.
After receiving the green light to remain in Townsville, North Queensland said they had been given the “best possible” chance to impress when the 2020 competition restarts.
The Cowboys (1-1 record) were also keen to again show off their new home ground which only hosted Brisbane in the first round before the coronavirus shutdown.
“Remaining in North Queensland allows our coaching staff the greatest opportunity to give our players the best possible preparation for the recommencement of the season, while also allowing our players and staff to remain at home with their families,” the Cowboys said.
“We are also thrilled with today’s confirmation NRL clubs have been given permission to travel across the Queensland border, which allows us to play our home games out of our brand new home.”
Meanwhile, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she would seek further assurances from the league about enforcing home quarantine measures on players following recent high profile breaches by NRL stars.
Palaszczuk said the Queensland Health Officer would discuss the measures in the next couple of days with the NRL but they are not expected to jeopardise the border announcement.
Indeed the Premier’s spirits were high on Friday, asking with tongue in cheek if Suncorp Stadium could host the 2020 grand final after ensuring the NRL would resume without further drama by agreeing to open their borders.
“First round games will be played in Queensland. of course I put in a bid for a local grand final and we all look forward to hosting the State of Origin,” she said.