'Normal' finals format now off the table

If the lockdown ends on September 10, Wagga City and Waratahs will fight it out for the title on September 26.

Both clubs will have two weeks to train together, per the Rugby Australia guidelines, before the grand final at Conolly Rugby Complex.

However there is a further extension there will be no premiers declared.

Both Griffith and Tumut will be unable to continue their seasons with not enough time remaining for a four-team finals series.

Last week Southern Inland gave September 26 as the deadline for the grand final.

The board will meet on Thursday night to discuss the latest changes, however president Warwick Grant could see little changing.

"We're going to have a quick meeting just to confirm our thoughts but we are getting down to the last rung at the moment," Grant said.

"They just keep pushing it out.

"The way it is going it might be bad luck for a lot of sports."

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Wagga City are unbeaten but as part of Southern Inland's plans no premiers will be awarded without a grand final being played.

Competitions in the COVID-affected Central West declared premiers this week based on the standings of their competitions.

However Grant does not expect a change of heart from the board if a grand final can not be played.

"They were in a different situation and had already started their finals while we are in a different situation," he said.

"I don't think that will change."

The second lockdown extension means Ag College will be unable to defend their women's title after they finished the season in fourth.

Instead only Griffith and Waratahs remain in contention.

Hay and Griffith finished in the top two in second grade while Wagga City and Griffith remain in the hunt in third grade.

Grant also signalled the lockdown will force the end of the juniors season.

They had made plans for a two-week finals series before the extension on Thursday.