Return of NRL brings welcome promotion for the whole sport - Luke Gale

It is not our competition, but it is great to have live rugby league back, even if it is 12,000 being played miles away.

I watched the Brisbane-Parramatta game yesterday - I was looking forward to it all week - and I’ll be glued to the NRL whenever I get the chance.

The NRL have done a great job in getting back so soon, after only a couple of months.

I know it is different circumstances over there, Australia haven’t had the same death rate and infection rate we have, but it’s still a good effort to get going again and I think it is a massive opportunity for rugby league.

Apart from the Bundesliga, there’s no other live team sport happening at the moment.

People are getting desperate for some live action so some sports fans who don’t usually take any notice of rugby league are going to be watching, just for something to do. And if they do give it a try, I am sure they’ll enjoy it and be back for more.

That’s the thing with our game, getting people to watch is the hard part.

Once they get a taste of it, the quality of what we have got to offer speaks for itself.

If the NRL can create a bit more interest and some new viewers, that’s good news for everybody.

The NRL games are being shown in America as well, which is a breakthrough so it is an exciting time for the sport.

I’ve spoken with a couple of lads I know in the NRL - Elliott Whitehead and James Graham - and have wished them good luck.

I am a bit jealous really. I’d love to be getting ready for a game this weekend, but at least there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel now.

I am managing to keep myself busy though. I’ve been doing a bit of golfing and I went fishing the other night.

I caught five or six nice carp, I had one about eight-10lb, so I was feeling pretty pleased with myself.

My fiance wasn’t as happy, though.

She says I have every hobby known to man - and now the NRL’s back, that’s another one.

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