Ian Lenagan says could be "possibility" of some behind closed doors games

The NRL's last round was played in empty venues and the competition has vowed to continue with their season amid the coronavirus pandemic until the Australian government advises them not to.

As it stands, Super League has been postponed until at least April 3 but is not expected to return until a later date.

And Warriors owner Lenagan says playing games without fans could be an option.

"I think it would be sensible to consider that," he said.

"I think the NRL have a more difficult position because I think they have to have all of their games televised. We're in a fortunate position in that we only need two out of six games televising.

"So there could be a possibility of a limited behind closed doors but that's just my personal opinion."

Australian Rules football had earlier this morning announced that their season would be suspended initially until the end of May due to the pandemic.

Former Australian rugby league captain Brad Fittler believes the AFL's situation is different to the NRL's predicament because their competition is played in more states.

"There is a difference between the two sports in that we do a lot less travel than the AFL. If there is some sort of way the NRL can go forward that would be on the back of that," Fittler told Channel Nine.

"They (the AFL) have got two teams in Western Australia, two teams in South Australia, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne so it takes a lot of travel. If there is an advantage to the NRL it would be the fact that it is predominantly played in two states.

"I know that there is a huge meeting that is going to go on tonight and I am gathering what happens there is going to be the decider about whether the NRL goes forward and plays any games."

A federal government national cabinet meeting on Sunday night will likely influence further decisions on the NRL's status.

Lenagan, meanwhile, has praised the collaboration of all sectors of rugby league as clubs battle for survival.

The 13-man code has followed the rest of sport in going into lockdown as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, with many clubs facing a critical time without matchday revenue as they brace themselves for an extension of the stoppage beyond April 3.

Lenagan, who led Super League's break from the Rugby Football League in 2018, says the top-flight clubs are now working alongside the Championship and League 1 outfits as they lobby government for financial aid while planning for a lengthy time out.

"I don't think there's any doubt it's going to be extended," he said. "We set a date to give ourselves time to work out what is next and what we have to do.

"There is a massive amount of cooperative planning going on between Super League, the RFL, the Championships and the clubs.

"I've never seen such coordinated planning activity. Obviously we've got to stay together. I think it's a commendable teamwork operation that is going on within rugby league.

"Ralph Rimmer and Robert Elstone are talking all the time and the Championship and League 1 clubs are being considered just as much in all of this by Super League and by the RFL.

"We're all vulnerable. We as a community, will at some point have to bring people back together. It's good to see what's going on and it bodes well for the future.

"We've just got to survive in the meantime."

Lenagan expects a coordinated rescue bid to be put to the government by the weekend and is confident of a successful outcome.

"There is a serious threat unless we work in a coordinated way. The game is a very important socially, community wise we have a massive impact and the government is well aware of that.

"The EFL have already put their case forward for what they need to do to survive and I'm sure by the end of this week we'll be doing exactly the same.

"If we work together and if the government does its piece, which I think it will do, then rugby league will survive through this period and come out the other end as a very strong facet for bringing people together in the communities."

With the fixture list unlikely to restart until summer, St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus has said he believes the season could be extended to the end of November.