The National Rugby League led the charge for elite sports returning to action in Australia on Thursday.
Home advantage didn’t help the Brisbane Broncos in losing to the Parramatta Eels 34-6 on Thursday night in an empty Suncorp Stadium, the lack of spectators being a trade-off for the NRL being allowed to resume following a two-month hiatus during the coronavirus pandemic.
The sound of a ring to signify the new “six again” rule, designed to speed up play, was like the bell at the end of a round in boxing. Caxton Street, which runs toward the stadium and is usually swarming with fans on a game night, was quiet. A scattering of people watched the game on TVs in bars which were restricted to 10 guests or fewer.Mike Simpson and Peter Rowe were two exceptions. The pair, self-described “rugby league tragics,” drove for an hour, and parked the car on a street beside the stadium that is usually off limits at game time.
Two rounds of matches were played in the NRL in March before Australia and New Zealand went into lockdown and closed borders in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19. Australia has recorded 7,150 infections and 103 known deaths from COVID-19.
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