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'Got to me': Virus protocols cause chaos before NRL return

australian associated press
·2-min read
Brisbane Broncos players are pictured during their loss to Parramatta in the NRL's return.
The Brisbane Broncos' NRL return was almost thwarted at the last minute when one player had trouble passing a temperature check to enter the stadium. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The NRL's biosecurity protocols almost caused chaos ahead of the resumption of the 2020 season at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday.

Broncos halfback Brodie Croft twice recorded a high temperature upon arriving at the stadium ahead of the clash with Parramatta.

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Under the strict protocols being enforced to resume the season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, anyone entering a match day venue has to have their temperature taken.

Croft twice recorded a temperature above the accepted number of 37.2C and was in danger of being ruled out of the game.

But the 22-year-old playmaker passed a third test and was given the all-clear to join his teammates.

"I'm feeling good now, I'm keen to get out there," Croft told Fox Sports before the match.

"The excitement got to me a bit there when I was at the front gates."

The drama appeared to have had little impact on Croft, who scored a brilliant individual try midway through the first half of the round three match.

New NRL TV broadcast deal confirmed

The NRL's new broadcast deal has been signed off just hours before the 2020 season resumes on Thursday.

With less than two hours before round three kicked off between Brisbane and Parramatta at Suncorp Stadium, the new deal between the ARL Commission, Foxtel and the Nine Network was confirmed.

The deal means both broadcasters will show the competition until the end of 2022, with Foxtel's partnership extended for five more years until the end of 2027.

"I am delighted to have worked with our long-standing partners Foxtel and Nine to reshape and resume the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership," ARLC chairman Peter V'Landys said.

"It is significant that on one of the most important days in our game's history, we have finalised the deals to ensure its future."

The new deal for the rejigged 2020 campaign means Foxtel will show all eight games of every round, with five of those being shown exclusively on the pay TV operator.

Nine will televise three matches each weekend, on Thursday and Friday nights and Sunday afternoon.

The grand final on October 25 will be shown exclusively on Nine, while the free-to-air network also retains exclusive rights to the State of Origin series to be held in November.