NRL All Stars: Cody Walker doubt as Covid protocols put Indigenous v Maori match in danger

While some players are contemplating missing the All Stars clash due to the tough Covid protocols, one superstar may be unavailable for an entirely different reason.

Cody Walker is a major doubt for the All Stars match.

The NRL All Stars is in danger of losing another massive drawcard with South Sydney superstar Cody Walker in huge doubt.

It is understood Walker’s potential unavailability is not due to the tough Covid protocols that are proving a growing concern for many players, but rather to safeguard his health after a disrupted preseason.

It would still be a hammer blow for organisers of the event that will already be without suspended Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell who will be sidelined until the round three clash against the Roosters.

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Cody Walker is a major doubt for the All Stars match.

Walker is said to be physically underdone after a 10-week break that followed the grand final that was backed up by Covid disruptions.

There has been speculation doing the rounds that he and other players are not happy with the strict Covid protocols, but that is not said to be the reason he is considering making himself unavailable.

It is understood he is yet to make a final decision but there is definitely a huge cloud hanging over him.

Another factor that would have to be weighing on Walker’s mind is that his fitness will be even more crucial going into this NRL season than in previous years for Souths given Adam Reynolds’ departure on top of Latrell’s suspension.

With new coach Jason Demetriou taking over from Wayne Bennett, the Rabbitohs will be opening their season against the Reynolds’ led Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on March 11.

That will be followed by another plane trip to Melbourne to face the Storm before returning home to take on arch rivals the Roosters who are shaping up as one of the genuine premiership forces.

Without Adam Reynolds, there’s plenty hinging on Cody Walker at Souths.

After that they play the premiers in round four at Penrith.

It’s a tough initiation for the new-look Rabbitohs and it further outlines why having Walker in tip-top condition for the opening month will be so incredibly important to his club.

Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley won’t be picking his team until next week so Walker still has plenty of time to make his mind up.

There is also a concern hanging over Canberra halfback Jamal Fogarty who is said to have a hamstring issue.

Meanwhile, the Rugby League Players Association is still waiting for confirmation from the NRL about when they will meet to discuss potential changes to the All Stars’ protocols.

RLPA boss Clint Newton has requested a meeting with the governing body to talk over the players’ concerns.

Jamal Fogarty is reported to be nursing a sore hamstring.

The problem for the NRL is that clubs have been vocal about the need for those protocols to be tough so the players are returned in good health.

Coming to a compromise that will satisfy both parties happy won’t be easy.

There is also a growing angst among the playing group about the strict protocols players are being forced to live by going into the season.

Club v Culture: All Stars match in danger zone

There are growing concerns some of the NRL’s biggest stars are seriously considering not taking part in the upcoming All Stars match unless the NRL makes changes to some of the tough Covid protocols that will be in place for the six days players are in camp in Sydney.

This comes as Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley spoke passionately about why this year’s clash against the New Zealand Maori Kiwis must go ahead.

Rugby League Players Association boss Clint Newton on Monday night did not want to make an issue of any potential threats of a player boycott, but he did confirm the players union was feeling uncomfortable with some of the draft protocols.

Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley is convinced players will tolerate the strict Covid protocols.

Asked specifically if he had heard whispers that some players are considering withdrawing, Newton did not hide from the reality.

“I can’t actually confirm that they are going to withdraw, what I would say is that there are questions being asked that will need to be worked through,” Newton said.

“Players absolutely want to play and represent their respective heritage and their cultures.

“We just have to find the balance to allow them to maximise what that week means for them and their respective communities and nations. But how it may also impact them post the match (if they were to test positive).”

The protocols include players basically being locked down in their team hotel unless it is for a scheduled training session.

They will also have to undergo two rapid antigen tests a day at 7am and 3pm while in camp from Monday February 7 until the game on the Saturday February 12.

Latrell Mitchell is one Indigenous star set to miss the tournament, though in his case it is due to suspension. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

On top of that they won’t be able to leave their room each day for breakfast until they have returned a negative Covid test.

Even then they will be restricted to the hotel premises unless they are training, or doing strictly limited public events that will also need to be okayed by the ARLC’s Apollo team.

While this is all still all to be officially signed off on, the memo was sent to NRL club bosses late last week (although the RLPA only got their copy of it on Monday afternoon).

It seems most likely the majority of the public interaction will also be done over a video hook up, unlike in other years where it has become a community and cultural festival.

But while there has been talk previously that some clubs will be reluctant to release players after what has been an already disrupted pre-season, Newton also explained why it went beyond players being locked away from their families for the week.

“There are questions that need to be asked around the management of players,” he continued.

“If we are going to do potentially between one or two tests daily and players are found to be positive, and they are away from their home environment, and then they are forced to go into a seven day isolation away from their home environment in a hotel room, we need to properly work out whether that is the best way.

“It is my understanding that these protocols that have been developed are only in draft form and we have been guaranteed an opportunity to participate in discussions on these protocols.”

Daley himself will have to live by the same rules but he is convinced it will be worth it if it means the game goes ahead.

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“You ask a man to a tee, anyone who has been involved in it, they all love it,” Daley said.

“It is a special week for all of us.

“The week is all about sharing our own stories, talk about our history and our culture.

“Usually there is a lot we do in the community but I am assuming this year that we may not be able to do a lot.

“So that is something we will see over the next week how that is going to play out.

“But there is a lot we can still do in terms of speaking about our culture.”

Brisbane football boss Ben Ikin also backed the game to go ahead.

“It has become an important fixture on the calendar and those that get selected for those teams I think really value what it means,” Ikin said.

“I know there are some challenges at the moment around Covid but I haven’t heard a disgruntled word at our club from anyone about the game.”

Manly boss Stephen Humphreys agreed the tough protocols were necessary.

“I understand the importance of the match and how important it is to the participants and the people around it,” he added.

“So we are supportive of it.

“I think the NRL has done a good job with having the tightest protocols they could possibly have which will mitigated some of the risks involved.

“Look, it is a tough call but on balance I think the game is committed to the event, so then it is a question of just trying to minimise the risk as best you can.”

Asked if the protocols were too tough, Ikin added; “Look, if it is important enough, and it seemingly is to those who participate in it, then they will do what is required to make sure it goes ahead.

“The game has got a responsibility to the clubs to make sure the protocols are strong enough so that clubs aren’t impacted.

“I think the players understand that if they want to participate they have to go through the protocols.”

Originally published as NRL All Stars: Cody Walker doubt as Covid protocols put Indigenous v Maori match in danger