NRL 2020: Players face Queensland lockout for refusing flu vaccination
After three Gold Coast Titans players were stood down over refusing flu vaccinations, more NRL players face the prospect of being shut-out of Queensland games.
NRL
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A host of NSW and Canberra-based players who have not been vaccinated face the prospect of being banned from playing in Queensland with tougher restrictions placed on NRL players north of the border.
The NRL will apply for special dispensation to allow the likes of Queensland Origin star Josh Papalii to play in his home state. Papalii was among a host of players including Raiders teammates Joseph Tapine and Iosia Soliola, Manly players Addin Fonua-Blake and Dylan Walker and Canterbury’s Sione Koata who signed the NRL’s amended waiver on Friday.
Despite being cleared to return to training with their sides, the group of players who are not vaccinated could be barred from travelling with the team into Queensland.
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ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said the game would “make an application to allow them to play” in Queensland.
The NRL stood-down three Titans players – Nathan Peats, Bryce Cartwright and Brian Kelly – for refusing to be vaccinated. The Queensland government told the NRL every player and official needed to be vaccinated if they were to return to the field. The other Queensland-based clubs had no issues.
A flu vaccination was not a requirement for players to return to training in NSW and ACT.
“We had discussions with the Queensland government and their chief medical officer was impressed we had 97 per cent of the players vaccinated,” V’landys said.
“The players will be stood-down until the Queensland government considers our application. We believe because we have 97 per cent (of players immunised) they look will at it favourably. We will respect the process and their decision.”
Peats immediately indicated he would receive the injection declaring he was not anti-vaccination instead a bad experienced receiving the flu-shot at South Sydney in 2012 left him hesitant.
Manly player Marty Taupau also had a similar stance after being among the 20 players who had not been vaccinated on Thursday. Taupau was vaccinated on Friday.
“My reasons are totally different to the anti-vaxxers or pro-vaxxers,” Taupau said.
“It is not religious. My reasons are that many, many years ago – I believe it might have been 2013 – when I got the flu shot, I had a really adverse reaction and was in hospital for days.
“I was more concerned about my health. I was worried that if I did get the flu shot again, I would be hospitalised. I may not be able to train, I may not be able to play. When that waiver came out, I said I am not going to get the flu shot.”
A host of players baulked at a clause within the initial waiver which had them “acknowledging and agreeing” to a range of conditions for refusing the flu vaccine.
While that clause was modified to indicate they acknowledge and agree they have been advised by a doctor of the potential risk-factors by not being immunised, Taupau concerns were different.
“I sought legal advice,” Taupau said.
“It had nothing to do with the four or five points that (other) players crossed out. You don’t want to sign something and then be sad and sorry afterwards. I was more concerned with my health and finding out what that whole ‘harmless’ clause meant.
“It is a concern if you sign it because you are made a liability if there is an outbreak in the league. You could ultimately be used because you pretty much sign that release form. That was my concern. I wanted to be more educated. That clause is so broad.
“I am not taking a stance. I am not an anti-vaxxer – we did our Christmas relief in Samoa with the measles disease over there.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he supports the “no jab, no play” policy but left it with the state’s to decide if the NRL should enforce it.
Originally published as NRL 2020: Players face Queensland lockout for refusing flu vaccination