The NRL pushes forward to prioritise the women's game, announcing a stand-alone women's State of Origin match.
The future of NRLW and women's league seemed dicey earlier this month. No information on an NRLW season or associated women's matches were being discussed.
Two of the four NRLW teams, the Sydney Roosters and the New Zealand Warriors, had stated they may need to cull their women's programs in an effort to cut costs should funding not be provided.
However, NRL interim CEO Andrew Abdo has since restated the prioritization of the women's game. Earlier last week it was announced that the future NRL television deal would include the NRLW.
The NRL has also established a "Project Apollo" style workshop whose mandate is to come up with plans for a women's 2020 season. The group has the dual priority of fielding a viable competition while cutting costs due to the recent COVID-19 related financial restrains.
It has not been specified whether the upcoming competition will be an NRLW season, an all-stars style series or whether the focus will be placed on international games.
According to the Australian Associated Press the most likely option would resemble a 2018 NRLW competition, where games were double headers with the men's matches.
At present one women's league match has been confirmed to go ahead. After originally being scheduled to be played in June, it has been confirmed that a stand-alone Women's State of Origin will be played in November.
The match will occur on November 13, 2020, two days after game two of the men's State of Origin series.
When speaking at the NRL draw Abdo stated "The women's pathway and the women's competition remain a priority for us (NRL) so it's really exciting that we're all to announce today a women's State of Origin game."
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