Dragons star Zac Lomax believes Paul Vaughan’s COVID breach is a wake-up call for NRL players
Dragons coach Paul McGregor has slammed Paul Vaughan as being “selfish” after the forward was sprung breaching COVID rules, while one of his teammates has weighed in with a warning for fellow players.
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Dragons star Zac Lomax has labelled his teammate Paul Vaughan’s COVID protocol breach as “wake-up call” for other NRL players to do the right thing.
The game’s biosecurity bubble burst in spectacular fashion on Thursday after revelations South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett had violated strict safety restrictions when he visited a restaurant the day before for lunch.
Not long after, Dragons forward Vaughan was also sprung having breakfast on Thursday morning, on game day, ahead of the Red V’s clash against the Sydney Roosters later that night. The prop was fined $10,000 for the breach.
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Both player and coach where stood down and have been forced to self isolate for 14 days and have to return a negative COVID-19 test before being able to return to their respective bubbles.
“It’s a massive wake-up call and I think players will be really thinking about decisions that they do make outside of footy,” Lomax said. “It‘s just hard that obviously it was one of our players and my good mate that’s been stung but we’ve got to be role models.
“We’re grateful enough that we’ve been given the opportunity to be able to play footy and keep our jobs and play on a regular basis week to week.
“We’ve got to stick to these rules.
“We’re well aware of what we need to do.
“There’s obviously repercussions that will take place if we don’t follow them.”
Dragons coach Paul McGregor slammed Vaughan’s behaviour as “selfish” after his side went down 24-16 to the premiers, in a match where the Dragons missed the forward’s experience.
“It’s very disappointing. Once I got told of what he’d done and that it was going to the integrity unit … we are well aware of our responsibilities,” McGregor said. “So there is no reason for it really than it was selfish behaviour really.
“It’s not what you need from one of your senior players.”
The earliest Vaughan will be available again for selection is in round 15, when the Dragons take on the Broncos.
Vaughan’s ban is untimely for McGregor, who is facing a short-term crisis in his forward ranks after Thursday night’s game.
Tariq Sims left the field with a shoulder injury. Sims was sent for scans on Friday to determine the extent but it’s expected the backrower will miss about two weeks.
“Taz doesn’t normally come off so it’s probably a bit more serious than an average one because he doesn’t usually come off the field unless it’s pretty bad,” McGregor said.
Lock Jackson Ford is facing two weeks on the sideline with an early plea after he was charged with a grade-three trip on Roosters playmaker Luke Keary. If Ford challenges the charge at the judiciary and loses, he will be rubbed out for three weeks.
Ultimate clubman inspires injury-hit Roosters
No other side best epitomises how gruelling the COVID-impacted 2020 season has been than the Sydney Roosters.
Coach Trent Robinson had nine first-choice NRL players sitting in the stand at WIN Stadium but the back-to-back premiers still found a way to beat St George Illawarra 24-16 in Wollongong on Thursday night.
With the likes of Victor Radley, Sam Verrills, Brett Morris, Josh Morris, Kyle Flanagan, Boyd Cordner, Angus Crichton, Daniel Tupou and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves all unavailable, Robinson was left with a bench that had only 34 games of NRL experience.
While the Roosters were missing the physical manpower, mentally Robinson was still able to field a team of 17 players who know how to win.
“The club gets used to winning that happens and in times of need it’s still a winning mentality,” Phil Gould said.
Dragons backrower Jackson Ford could be in some trouble with the match review committee after he was placed on report for a trip on Roosters playmaker Luke Keary.
“He has to be [on report], he should be off. That’s the one that used to be a send off… this is the one where he can’t get to with his hand so he throws out the leg,” Gould said.
MILESTONE MAN
The ever reliable Mitch Aubusson ran on to WIN Stadium to join an illustrious group of NRL players who have played 300 NRL games. So it was only fitting that the one-club veteran bagged a four-pointer.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said Thursday night’s showing was a “club victory” for an ultimate clubman like Aubusson.
“That’s what you call those nights, it’s a club night,” Robinson said. “You see the strength of your club. It was a great night to do it on a very special occasion, they don’t come around often. Mitchell Aubusson doesn’t come around often.
“If it was ever the ultimate club night and the ultimate clubman it was tonight for Aubbo.”
BUBBLE BURST
The NRL’s COVID-19 bubble finally burst on Thursday in spectacular fashion. Dragons forward Paul Vaughan was forced to sit out the match after it was revealed he breached the game’s strict biosecurity protocols. Vaughan visited an Illawarra cafe for breakfast on game day, a decision Dragons coach Paul McGregor described as “selfish”.
The Dragons sorely missed their key man and the go forward he provides in the middle.
“It’s very disappointing,” McGregor said. “Once I got told of what he’d done and that it was going to the integrity unit … we are well aware of our responsibilities. So there is no reason for it really than it was selfish behaviour really.
“It’s not what you need from one of your senior players.”
FULLBACK DUEL
The Dragons pre-season started with a duel between Zac Lomax and Matt Dufty with coach Paul McGregor favouring Lomax in the no.1 jumper to start the year. But that only lasted one match and Dufty was reinstated at fullback and Lomax shifted into centre. The move has produced 20 tries so far in season 2020. Lomax’s form has thrust him into the State of Origin conversation.
“The strength and surge about him close to the line, his defence is so strong… there are parts of his game when you see Origin moments in him,” Gould said.
Much to the delight of the 40 per cent of SuperCoaches who still own Lomax, the rising back scored two tries on Thursday night.
Lomax’s effort in the kick-chase and defence was just as impressive.
“That was a try-saver there from Zac Lomax … are you watching Bradley?,” Gould asked NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler in commentary.
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Originally published as Dragons star Zac Lomax believes Paul Vaughan’s COVID breach is a wake-up call for NRL players