NRL must finalize a playoff schedule amid fierce competition from 10 teams for top eight.
The NRL is facing a choice between taking on the All Blacks or the fury of the Canberra Raiders as they prepare for a final round headache with up to 10 teams still in contention for the top eight.
Head office has been working feverishly behind the scenes to pencil in a schedule for the opening weekend of the finals, but their hands are tied until the contenders are whittled down to the eight teams destined to play in the post-season.
In the meantime, they have been speaking to clubs in contention and working on a potential schedule taking into account turnarounds and schedule conflicts involving rival codes.
Melbourne is expected to open the finals on Friday night even though there is...