For years,State of Origin has been referred to as the jewel in rugby league’s thorny old crown. Given the truckloads of revenue it delivers,you can understand why. Now,in these uncertain times,it's the Hope Diamond.
NSW and Queensland players loom as lab rats as the game ramps up plans to play in a bubble or on an island or whatever in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
![James Tedesco celebrates with fans after NSW's series victory last year.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/f2465010171138cc514d9e59e60ee949c33d44e2)
James Tedesco celebrates with fans after NSW's series victory last year.Getty
The NRL’s newly formed"innovation committee"reckons the Origin series can demonstrate to governments,pandemic experts,broadcasters,fans and the wider community that it can safely play rugby league in isolation.
If successful,if it can show that it can lock down 40 players and staff at a venue such as Townsville's brand new stadium,the NRL will then look at mobilising all 16 teams.
This is at the forefront of the committee’s contingency plans should the NRL be allowed to start again. The questions are whether it can — and whether it should.
Read the full opinion piece