NRL 2022: Valentine Holmes says players must get on with job at hand amid NRL Covid restrictions

Cowboys marquee man Valentine Holmes has had his say on the tight Covid restrictions set to be in place for NRL players in 2022.

Cowboys marquee man Valentine Holmes believes it is time for NRL players to get on with the job at hand, when quizzed about another forthcoming season to be played under tight restrictions.

Beginning the week with just 12 players on the park, as of Thursday 27 men were on deck. Only one player in the past two days has been sent into isolation.

The team has been hit hard by Covid-19 in the lead up to the season, with the majority of the squad forced into quarantine at some point. However, the club is content with the way they are progressing.

And Holmes said whatever limitations were put in place, those within the code needed to accept them and move forward if it means the season runs as smoothly as possible.

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Valentine Holmes wants players to get on with the job. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

“I guess you just have to do what they say. I can’t really complain about it, as long as we still get to play footy, get paid and put food on the table that’s the main thing,” he said.

“Obviously it’s not ideal we have to stay in the bubble, but every other job has their own rules they have to abide by so we’re no different.

“I’m happy with the rules we’re in, as long as we’re still playing footy.”

While Holmes is seemingly at peace with the NRL’s decision to enter level one protocols, the restrictions have not been received well by all.

Those within the main squads will be prevented from attending cinemas or indoor areas of pubs and clubs under the level one protocols.

Any visitors attempting to enter the home of a player or staff member will also be required to provide a negative rapid antigen test first.

Many high profile figures within the NRL, such as Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton, have questioned the moves and a third straight campaign living under such limitations,

“WTF? Double-vaxxed to just stay the same?,” Mitchell wrote on his Instagram earlier this month.

Wighton too was critical on his own post: “Thought I was getting the stupid vax so I didn’t have to do another year off (sic) this s***.”

Latrell Mitchell (left) has questioned the protocols. Picture: NRL Imagery

Holmes’ focus, however, has been more on an imminent positional shift to the centres to make way for an exciting young gun.

The meteoric rise of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the number one jersey has forced Holmes to be adaptable and move out wide, after getting a taste on the right edge last year.

The State of Origin flyer will move over to the left once the season begins to accommodate Kiwi recruit Peta Hiku.

Last year Holmes often said fullback was where he saw his future, but now he said he had changed his tone to suit the turning of the tide within the squad.

He said coach Todd Payten had given him a licence to roam the field in the same manner adopted by New South Wales superstar Tom Trbojevic. Now it would be a matter of employing the tactic as effectively.

“Obviously last year I did say that (fullback) is where I wanted to play, but as I am getting older I feel like I’m getting pushed out a bit,” Holmes said.

“There’s a lot of young, good fellas coming through and it’s making it a good challenge for me. I still play a bit of fullback, I trained at fullback today and obviously help Hammer out there.

“I still like to help him out with communication. I enjoy playing centre, so I feel like that’s where I would like to finish off.

“I’m really enjoying it, obviously Hammer is going really well; he’s a young, quick, athletic, good skilful player. We have to give him his opportunities where we can, and more so it’s just our edges needed a bit of experience or a bit of mobility out there.

NRL fans say players must be held to higher Covid standards

— Chris Honnery

The NRL and Rugby League Players’ Association have met to discuss revised Covid-19 protocols amid a growing angst in the playing ranks ahead of the 2022 season.

Players were informed over the New Year’s weekend they would be placed under level one restrictions, forcing them to stay away from indoor venues such as restaurants and pubs.

Several clubs, including the Broncos, have been hit hard by Covid in the new year, with plenty of players across the code testing positive last week.

It also comes as Canberra players Jordan Rapana and Jack Wighton have taken to social media in the past week to question the tighter restrictions imposed on players.

“I have never seen a vaccine that forced me to wear a mask and maintain my social distance, even when you are fully vaccinated. I had never heard of a vaccine that spreads the virus even after vaccination,” Rapana said on social media.

“I had never heard of rewards, discounts, incentives to get vaccinated. I never saw discrimination for those who didn’t...”

RLPA chief executive Clint Newton described the meeting on Monday night as “productive” as members from both the NRL and NRLW sat down with the governing body to discuss current Covid protocols forced upon players.

The RLPA also confirmed the code had reached a 98 per cent vaccination rate across all players in the NRL, adding to the argument of living within the wider community’s guidelines.

Newton said one of the concerns raised was about living under tighter restrictions than what was imposed on the rest of the community.

“What the key problem and concerns for us was the restrictions to be placed on players was over and above what the state requirements are,” Newton said.

“In past two years, we’ve operated over and above what community expectations were but that was when Covid was at a low transmission rate.

“We’re in a situation now where hundreds of thousands of people are infected with Covid, either with symptoms or are asymptomatic.

“Trying to stop Covid coming into rugby league, will be like me trying to stop an avalanche with a leaf blower.

Rugby League Players Association boss Clint Newton is hopeful of easing the level one restrictions set to be imposed on players. Picture: AAP/James Gourley

“You’re not going to stop it so we’re going to have to work to live with it and the best way to do that, is to allow now more than ever, players to live under no restrictions other than state requirements.”

Newton said players were “very aware” of the necessity of increased testing or travel bubble requirements to ensure the season goes ahead.

However, the players are eager to have their voices heard on what Covid protocols will be in place for the upcoming NRL and NRLW seasons.

“Look, no one wants to go back into a bubble,” Newton said.

“However, players are also aware to continue playing rugby league or to travel, there may be some restrictions but that needs to be worked through with us, with a clear rationale around why.”