NRL stars try to prepare for uncertain future
Four hundred and eighty NRL stars have completed a day that no professional rugby league player has ever encountered. Some slept-in, some woke frightened and some searched for a training schedule that didn't exist.
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Day one.
Life without certainty for Wests Tigers star Josh Reynolds began by feeling scared at the sight of those long lines into the doors of Centrelink.
Cronulla captain Wade Graham, a physical menace on the field, remembers the torment of the 2014 ASADA scandal.
But on Tuesday, on the first day without an NRL competition, he admits nothing compares to this.
480 NRL stars completed a day that no professional rugby league player has ever encountered on Tuesday
Some slept-in, some woke frightened and some searched for a training schedule that didn't exist.
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"It's very different to wake-up and not have anywhere to go,'' Wests Tigers half Josh Reynolds said.
"For us, as rugby league players, we've got times to be at, do weights at this time, be on the field at this time, be ready for next week's game and to wake-up and not have that set in stone, is a bit scary.
"Its bad for everyone - not just us. But everyone associated with rugby league.
"Its a scary thought to not know if we are going to come out the other end.
"You can sit and think 'what is going to happen to my pay' but its nothing compared to people lining up in lines to get money to have food on the table.
"That's what scares me the most. I just hope we can stop the spread (of the coronavirus).''
Graham's day consisted of meeting with the entire football department at the Sharks, taking gym equipment home to train with and a two-hour phone conference with RLPA CEO Clint Newton and senior players.
The NSW Origin backrower said that despite being dragged through the Cronulla club's ASADA scandal in 2014 - the current crisis facing the game and the world, was far greater a challenge to deal with.
"This is definitely the most significant (issue) - I've gone through a lot of stuff that has affected me as an individual and a few other teammates as individuals.
"But this is a global issue, all industries are affected, no one is out of the lime light with this stuff.
"The bigger picture is that we all stay healthy, stay safe and we look after our family.
"And as each challenge arises, we just need to roll with the punches and get on with it as best we can.''
Originally published as NRL stars try to prepare for uncertain future