Anti-vaxxers, living arrangements the major stumbling block for NRL players

Teams will be prevented from full squad sessions in their return to training this week following revelations that clubs are prepared to grant leave to those worried about the game’s new biosecurity measures.

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Tackling and wrestling will be banned when NRL clubs return to practice this week, with players also limited to training in groups of just 10.

Club bosses were told in an email on Sunday that they need to keep their 32-man squads into small groups for at least the rest of the week, and sessions will more closely resemble touch footy when clubs return to the paddock from Tuesday.

Contact training will be gradually phased back in as the game moves closer to a May 28 return.

It follows revelations that clubs are prepared to grant leave to those who are worried about the game’s new biosecurity measures.

The Sunday Telegraph has learnt the two major causes of concern for players surround the need to be vaccinated against the flu and potential changes to living arrangements.

Some clubs have players who are anti-vaccinators, but under the new guidelines they must receive a flu injection before they are permitted to attend training and play.

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The details must be agreed before a ball is played. Photo: Alix Sweeney

Players may be asked to sign a waiver as a “conscious objector”, which would permit them to play. Those guidelines were still being worked out.

Another factor the players are concerned about is if they are forced to relocate from their homes. Under the strict new rules, each residence needs to be approved by a club medical officer.

Players may be asked to move out if their living conditions are deemed a potential high-risk exposure to COVID-19.

These are some of the measures — not money — that led to players hinting at a potential blanket delay in returning to training.

Clubs were frustrated in a game-wide tense phone hook-up on Friday afternoon when they were told they might not see their players until next Thursday.

But the mood eased significantly on Friday night when club bosses spoke for two hours and were joined in part by RLPA boss Clint Newton.

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Clubs have said they will support any player who needs time to digest the biosecurity measures after Monday’s education day, but expected their players to return to training come Tuesday.

Privately, players have largely given assurances to their clubs that they will be taking to the field on Tuesday ahead of the May 28 resumption.

Clubs were still awaiting the final copy of the biosecurity arrangements late yesterday, with the RLPA poised to forward the measures on to players once they arrive.

Players will need to agree to the biosecurity reforms — put together by associate professor David Heslop — or be barred from playing this season.

The players are expected to have a phone hook-up tomorrow afternoon after they have been given the biosecurity rundown

RLPA boss Clint Newton said he would not be surprised if players trained on Tuesday.

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RLPA boss Clint Newton has some issues to navigate. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“We will work through the biosecurity measures on Monday, and if they means players return to train the following the day then great,” Newton said.

“If people need to work through a process where they need further clarity, that’s fine as well.

“A thorough process must be undertaken and that includes proper consultation where everyone – club officials, staff and players — are provided with the opportunity to digest the information, ask questions, raise any concerns and have those questions answered and then make an informed decision.”

Clubs have submitted their 50-person lists — in line with the new limit they can have at training. The list needs pre-approval by the NRL and is made up of 32 players and 18 staff. Most club bosses are not part of the list.

Each club will be designated a “COVID cop” — made up largely from NRL employees — to ensure clubs are compliant with the changes.

Heslop described the bio-severity measures as “some restrictions that might seem inconvenient or uncomfortable”.

Originally published as Anti-vaxxers, living arrangements the major stumbling block for NRL players