Could the NRL really restart without the New Zealand Warriors?

The competition's chief executive, Todd Greenburg, has confirmed they could resume without the Auckland-based outfit if travel restrictions prevent them leaving for Australia, and vice versa.

Earlier this year, the Warriors were stranded in Australia and played a 'home' game in Queensland when strict quarantine rules were introduced.

The NRL is still targeting a return to action on June 1.

“We could play without them but we don’t want to,” NRL CEO Todd Greenberg told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“We’ll be doing everything possible to ensure the season is played in its full capacity with all teams, and that includes the Warriors.

“That’s for two reasons. One, we want the competition to be pure. But two, to genuinely reflect the sacrifices they made earlier in the year.”

New Zealand have tougher lockdown measures than Australia and are scheduled to finish on April 23, but the government hasn’t ruled out extending them.

Former Wigan stand-off Green was unaware of the option when he appeared on Fox League Live.

"To be honest, that’s the first I heard of it today,” said Green, who spent two years at the Warriors and won the double in 2013.

“We haven’t had any dialogue with our footy club about that even being a possibility.

“I’ve been watching the news every day and Jacinda Ardern the New Zealand Prime Minister has been on every day giving updates. She’s been fantastic, to be honest.

“It looks like they’ve got a hold on things. I think there’s every chance — we’re two weeks into a four week lockdown — that could be it.

“It’s not going to go back to complete normal but I’m hoping that (travel restrictions) are a relaxed little bit more and we’ll be able to get over and get amongst it straight away.”

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