We could be betting on Australian Rugby League again soon

As sports leagues around the world continue to discuss different ways to return to play, one of Australia’s most popular sports is considering a radical proposal to help relaunch its season.

The National Rugby League (NRL) has tasked an innovation committee to consider a number of ideas on how to restart its competition, following a forced hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic, but one idea is gathering steam.

NRL may relocate to a luxury island resort 

In what could be considered a mash between popular TV shows Survivor and Temptation Island, the proposal involves relocating the entire competition, including players and staff from all 16 teams, to a island resort off the coast of tropical central Queensland.

Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island has a capacity for 1,500 guests, but is empty because of the collapse in tourism. An airstrip on the island could be converted into training grounds, and teams would be ferried from the mainland to play in empty stadiums for a national television audience.

Competition could resume in June

Should the NRL clear all the necessary red tape and be able to move forward with this idea, games could get underway as soon as June. Players and staff would be required to self-isolate for 14 days, and then isolate for the same period of time in locked-down hotels on the island, before games could get underway.

The players have already had their salaries slashed and face the prospect of five months with no wages if the competition can’t resume, so there is overwhelming support from them to get the game back up and running. They are willing to spend months apart from their families and friends to make it happen.

Opposition has arisen

Opponents of an expedited return for Rugby League, and Australia’s other popular football code, Australian rules football, argue that there shouldn’t be any exceptions to what the Australian community as a whole is being asked to do. Some have gone as far to call it immoral that sports are even exploring options.

With many state borders closed, and the Warriors locked behind New Zealand’s borders, time will tell whether one of the country’s most popular sports can find a way to restart its season on a tropical island. As NRL CEO Todd Greenburg said, "Adversity brings enormous opportunity."

The innovation committee is scheduled to meet and discuss all options Thursday, so bettors should know about the sport's status soon.

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