NRL Covid: Clubs on high alert after Canterbury Bulldogs players breached protocols
At least five Bulldogs players could be unavailable for next weekend’s clash with Manly after it emerged two more than first thought breached biosecurity protocols.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two more Bulldogs are under investigation by the NRL’s integrity unit for breaching the game’s biosecurity protocols by visiting a Bondi pub.
Forwards Sione Katoa and Corey Waddell have been isolated after it emerged the duo joined three teammates at the Royal Hotel last weekend. Dylan Napa, Brandon Wakeham and Aaron Schoupp were the other players involved.
It is understood four of the five players’ have already tested negative for Covid-19 including Napa, Wakeham and Schoupp.
Stream selected Fox League shows on Kayo Freebies completely free this June including NRL 360, Sunday Night with Matty Johns, Big League Wrap & more. No Credit Card. No-brainer. Register Free Now >
The entire Bulldogs squad may undergo a Covid-19 test before being allowed to resume preparation for their next clash against Manly on Saturday.
There are doubts if the five players will be eligible for selection.
It comes after the NRL delivered a no excuses edict to every coach and club chief executive to make sure all players remain on a Covid high alert heading into a weekend with no club games outside of Sunday night’s State of Origin.
The bosses of all 16 NRL clubs were called together for an urgent conference hook-up on Friday afternoon to make certain everyone involved in the game was fully aware of their individual responsibilities.
It comes in the wake of a Covid breach by Canterbury Bulldogs players who attended a Bondi pub last Sunday, which was also attended by a person who has tested positive to Covid.
The NRL was on Friday afternoon still awaiting Covid test results for three Bulldogs players after it was revealed Dylan Napa, Brandon Wakeham and Aaron Schoupp were at The Royal Hotel in Bondi last Sunday.
It has left the game’s bosses now bracing for the game’s biggest test since the return from the Covid shutdown last June.
The three Bulldogs were ordered to self-isolate on Friday and are expected to be stood down from training and playing until next Sunday, July 4, the day after the Bulldogs next game against Manly on Saturday.
That self-isolation period could be brought forward depending on advice from NSW Health, and providing the players return negative Covid tests.
The Bulldogs also had to have their entire training base at Belmore disinfected and every player is expected to undergo a Covid test before returning to training on Monday.
It is understood NSW Health had contacted the players to tell them that they had been in close contact with a Covid positive after tracking them down via their QR code.
The Bulldogs players were on Friday interviewed by the NRL integrity unit but club insiders were adamant it was an “honest mistake” they made and confusion around their changing responsibilities led to the breach.
While the players are still facing disciplinary action, the more immediate concern is making sure the rest of the NRL playing group don’t make the same mistakes with no other games this weekend outside of Origin.
The NRL has already been forced to move next Thursday’s match between the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm from the SCG to Newcastle and there is still a chance other matches could also be moved.
The other issue relates to crowds with next Friday night’s blockbuster between Penrith and Parramatta already close to a sellout.
NRL officials were on Friday afternoon reluctant to make any firm commitments about crowd limits or possible venue changes given the fast-changing circumstances in NSW and Queensland.
The NRL was only notified of the Bulldogs’ breach at about 8.30pm on Thursday night after the governing body’s biosecurity experts were alerted.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys was adamant the situation had “zero” chance of closing down the entire competition.
V’landys also stressed the Bulldogs players had used their QR code, so on face value it appeared their mistake was an innocent blunder.
He said NRL players across the game had done an outstanding job over the past 12 months to keep the game up and running.
“And what I want to stress at all times is that the players have been magnificent,” V’landys added.
“In the last year they showed how conscientious and professional they were. I don’t want one incident to take away from that effort.”
HOW FURIOUS OFFICIALS WERE ALERTED TO NRL Covid BREACH
A stunned Canterbury chairman John Khoury says he is “not happy” after only finding out about the Covid breach by three Bulldogs players on Friday morning.
Khoury revealed that he woke to a message that was left late on Thursday night revealing that Dylan Napa, Brandon Wakeham and Aaron Schoupp were at The Royal Hotel in Bondi last Sunday, which was attended by a person who has tested positive to Covid.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys says there is “zero” chance of the entire NRL competition being shut down due to the breach.
The Daily Telegraph has learned that the NRL was only notified at about 8.30pm on Thursday night after the governing body’s biosecurity experts were alerted.
It is understood NSW Health had contacted the players to tell them that they had been in close contact with a Covid positive after tracking them down via their QR code.
That swung the Project Apollo team into action to determine what immediate action needed to be taken before a media release was issued at 11.30pm.
The three Bulldogs stars are facing disciplinary action and have been ordered to self-isolate and have undergone Covid tests.
It is expected the players will be stood down from training and playing for 14 days.
Khoury did not attempt to hide his disappointment.
“I just found out this morning if I am brutally honest,” Khoury said.
“I am not happy and I am just asking questions as we speak.
“I am not going to make any further statement until I get the facts.”
The NRL has also had to disinfect the Bulldogs entire training facilities.
Napa, Wakeman and Schoupp defied an NRL directive for players not to attend restaurants or bars in the Waverley Local Government area and now face disciplinary action.
V’landys said Napa had already returned a negative Covid test result and officials were still waiting on the two other results.
Asked if there was any chance it could close down the entire NRL competition moving forward, V’landys was adamant: “No. Zero.
“Because it is only one club. It is only the Bulldogs. Napa has already done one test and it has come back negative. We are still waiting for the other tests.
“I don’t think it is going to have any affect at this stage.
“Naturally we are being cautious and we have isolated the Bulldogs and we have gone into grounds and disinfected it and done everything we have to.”
V’landys stressed the players used their QR code, so on face value it appears they have made an innocent blunder.
V’landys said he did not find out about the incident until about 9pm on Thursday night and the NRL moved swiftly.
“Naturally, we are investigating it and they were given clear directions not to frequent that local government area because it was a hotspot and they were specifically not allowed to go to restaurants, bars, etc,” V’landys said.
“But in saying that they have to be given due process and natural justice so we will just wait until they are given that opportunity.
“The positive is they used their QR codes, so there it is not as though they were wilfully (breaking the rules).
“And what I want to stress at all times is that the players have been magnificent.
“In the last year they showed how conscientious and professional they were. I don’t want one incident to take away from that effort.”
The Bulldogs next game is against Manly on Saturday week, July 3.
The NRL released the following statement late on Thursday night.
“The remainder of the Bulldogs squad will not train until the test results of the three players are known,” a spokesman said.
“The players have not been in contact with representatives from any other club nor does it impact any State of Origin player.
“The NRL issued a clear directive to all Sydney based clubs on 17 June mandating that players and staff were not to attend any restaurants, clubs or bars in the Waverley Local Government area.
“All clubs in the Greater Sydney, Wollongong and Central Coast areas were placed on Level 3+ Biosecurity Protocols from Tuesday evening and are not permitted to leave home except to train or access essential services.
“The NRL will continue to seek advice from its biosecurity experts and NSW Health to ensure no risk to other teams or the community.”
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL Covid: Clubs on high alert after Canterbury Bulldogs players breached protocols
Join the conversation
Gus’ ‘doctored’ claim ignites NRL conspiracy
The NRL Grand Final’s controversial no try scandal has taken a wild turn despite the game releasing the angle the decision was based on.
Read more
Kangaroos selection shocks: NRL legends’ Test careers appear over
Mal Meninga has dropped a major selection bombshell by overlooking both James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga for Kangaroos selection, with the list of surprise omissions and debutants not ending there. See the full squad.
Read more