Melbourne Storm have ridiculed suggestions they will forfeit their season-opening clash with Brisbane due to salary cap constraints.
A report out of Brisbane on Tuesday morning claimed the NRL had told the Storm: "Get under the salary cap within sixteen days or you won't be taking the field in round one."
Asked by Sporting News for a response to the story, a Storm official quipped: "Let’s hope the Broncos read the story and don’t turn up.
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"We are working through a few things but it’s ludicrous to suggest we won’t be able to field a team.
"I’m not sure where that one started but there’s no truth to it.
"We will be there and ready to go on March 14."
The NRL has also denied any knowledge of the round one ban, mindful it would be in breach of its rich broadcast deal if the game failed to go ahead.
Melbourne acknowledge they have cap issues to address and are attempting to offload prop Sam Kasiano to ease pressure.
But so far there are few takers at the current asking price and deals may have to be done elsewhere.
There is set to be a flurry of movement before the season kick-off after the Dragons’ Jack de Belin and Manly centre Dylan Walker learn their fate after being at the centre of high-profile court cases this month.