Dragons-Rabbitohs clash postponed as Queensland lockdown throws NRL into chaos

The NRL game between St George Illawarra and South Sydney, which was to be played at Rockhampton at 3pm on Saturday, has been postponed.

Rabbitohs players were sitting on the plane on the tarmac at the airport in Rockhampton when the decision was made and are about to head back to the Gold Coast.

Dragons players remained in their Brisbane hotel awaiting instructions before it was confirmed the game could proceed. It remains to be seen when the game will be played.

The decision follows the Queensland government’s announcement of a lockdown for 11 local government areas on Saturday morning.

The decision to lock down parts of the state from 4pm comes after six locally acquired cases of the highly infectious COVID-19 Delta strain were recorded.

The Knights and Raiders are scheduled to play at 5.30pm and are expected to play in Townsville. The players were only given a short time to hop on a bus to get to the airport. The grand final rematch between the Panthers and Storm, originally pencilled in as the second game of a Suncorp Stadium double-header, could also be played in Townsville, but it is yet to be confirmed.

It is still possible all games will be postponed.

“We know from experience that this Delta strain can spread very, very quickly,” Queensland Deputy Premier Stephen Miles said.

The NRL could be forced to abandon games this weekend.Credit:Getty

“We have seen from the experience in other states that the only way to beat the Delta strain is to move quickly, to be fast and to be strong. That is now the nationally agreed approach.”

Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said football games would not go ahead in the locked down areas this weekend.

“No, there will be no football matches,” Dr Young said. “So, no community sport, no professional sport, nothing for the next three days. Starting as of 4pm today.”

A statement from the NRL before noon suggested Saturday’s games were at long odds of going ahead as scheduled.

“The NRL has today placed all 16 clubs on level four biosecurity protocols,” the NRL said in a statement. “All clubs have been advised to inform their players to return to the team hotels and remain at the team hotels until further notice.

“The NRL is working with the Queensland government, clubs and broadcast partners to determine the best course of action for today’s matches.”

The AFL has already postponed three matches that were scheduled to be played in south-east Queensland on Saturday.

The NRL held an emergency Zoom meeting with all 16 clubs at midday.

More to come

Adrian Proszenko is the Chief Rugby League Reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald.

Christian Nicolussi covers rugby league for The Sydney Morning Herald.

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