rlThe flu has killed far more people than coronavirus. So why all the frenzy about COVID-19?rl

Is this the first SL game to be played behind closed doors?

Not another one. They can’t win. They do an announcement in Doncaster and it’s ‘cheap’ and ‘unprofessional’. They are also pillared for not doing enough to promote the sport. Now they decide to do the Challenge Cup draw in one of the biggest cities in the world which should get some decent media coverage and they are getting stick for that as well. I give up.

I’m carrying on as normal pretty much but the death rate is ten times higher than the flu so far and it seems very infectious so understand the concerns.

this not a world event it's the challenge cup for gawd sake played in England get real will you

There’s one at Huddersfield every couple of weeks !

irony meter alert

Someone doesn’t understand irony. Are you one of our new American fans?

yes, I am completely new to RL, honest.

does your village know you are out?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51826317 New York might be in lock down soon

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51826317 New York might be in lock down soon

I was expecting an explanation of why my views are ironic rather than a disappointing comeback to be honest.

This forum really isn’t a place for reasoned debate is it?

So the chairman of Olympiacos was diagnosed with the virus and Arsenal, who played them last week, have postponed their match with Man city tonight & rightly so, nothing is more important than everyone's health. Therefore it is rather baffling that Olympiacos's match tomorrow is still going ahead? Oh I forgot, if we wash our hands we will be OK

Because holding the draw in New York at a time when there is a pandemic going on with this virus is just stupid and irresponsible. I wonder if the RFL are also offsetting the carbon emissions from this needless overseas jaunt as well! Save the Polar Bears!

In the land of notorious that doesn't matter.

I hope you are not an adult. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

I'll set it out in simple terms for you to understand. New York are launching a new team and want to promote it. They also want to do a full launch in New York. They offered to combine this with the cup draw to boost the promotion. The RFL who were looking to support the new team and also boost their own promotion, accepted. It is a win, win situation. New York is easy to get to and flights are cheap - I'd assume the new team is helping out with travel/accommodation.


If it gets cancelled because of coronavirus so be it. No harm done. It will be a small number of people travelling anyway.


As for carbon footprint, the vast majority of rugby league is based in two isolated places in the world and probably has one of the smallest carbon footprints of any sport. I'm sure even Greta would allow us a one off trip to New York. Maybe they'll plant some trees to balance it out.