Sport Confidential: Peter V’landys insists NRL won’t force players to receive Covid vaccinations
The NRL has made a huge call on whether or not players will be forced to receive Covid vaccinations in order to play next year. SPORT CONFIDENTIAL
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ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has had his Covid injection, but is adamant he will not introduce laws forcing NRL players to follow his lead.
Speculation was rife V’landys was considering inserting a clause in the NRL’s standard contract that all players must have Covid injections to be eligible to take part in the Telstra Premiership.
V’landys insists the ARL Commission will not demand any player have the Covid jab, but warned NRL stars may encounter travel problems with government authorities if they are not fully vaccinated.
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The ARLC boss is leading the way in more ways than one, with V’landys currently awaiting his second Covid injection. He opted for the AstraZeneca shot over Pfizer.
“I won’t be forcing any players to get the injection,” V’landys said.
“The Commission is of the view that we don’t interfere with people’s freedoms, liberties and religious beliefs.
“I’ve had my vaccination. I’ve had one shot and I’m due to do the next one, but we have not discussed compulsory injections as a Commission. We didn’t make flu shots compulsory last year and 99 per cent of the players decided to get the shots.
“The problem that may arise is when we look to travel between states and even internationally, players may need to be vaccinated, so that may create a problem for players who choose not to get the Covid injection.
“We are always in the hands of governments and authorities. The government has indicated it won’t make Covid vaccination compulsory so we won’t be doing that either.
“In saying that, if, for example, international governments in New Zealand, where the Warriors are from, require it as a prerequisite to travel there, then players not vaccinated won’t be able to play games.
“They are the problems we will encounter in my view in the future.”
TRIPP DOESN’T FALL FOR BELLAMY BRONCOS RAID
Storm chairman Matt Tripp admits he had some nervous moments fearing super coach Craig Bellamy would quit Melbourne to join the Broncos.
Bellamy last week ended almost a year of uncertainty by agreeing to a new five-year deal with the Storm, finally scuppering Brisbane’s hopes of luring him back to Red Hill to support Kevin Walters as Broncos cultural boss.
While many believed Bellamy was never serious about quitting Melbourne and was merely using the Broncos as contractual leverage, Tripp was not so sure, admitting his relief when he reached a handshake deal with ‘Bellyache’.
“It was never a fait accompli,” Tripp said. “Craig had a big decision to make, especially that this contract was longer than he had ever signed before.
“I wouldn’t say I wasn’t concerned about the threat of the Broncos, because they are a big club and I could understand if he wanted a new challenge.
“The Broncos are a good organisation and I knew he was up against some stiff opposition, so I’m glad he stuck with us.”
Bellamy had weighed up a return to Queensland for family reasons in 2022, but looks set to remain in Melbourne when he transitions into his next role.
The 62-year-old could easily move into a coaching director’s role at the Storm, but Tripp remains open-minded about Bellamy’s future employment.
“His next role hasn’t been defined,” Tripp said. “We have deliberately steered away from that until the time he is ready to change roles.
“I don’t know if he will move to Queensland, never say never I guess. He is enjoying coaching at the moment and he is committed to coaching next year. It’s too far to speculate what he will do in 2023, I really wouldn’t have a clue.
“He said he will give me 12 months’ notice and we will spend that time working out a role for him. I honestly believe Craig has never coached better.”
COATES BACK ON TRACK
Broncos coach Kevin Walters says out-of-favour winger Xavier Coates has got his head around being dumped from the team following some low moments.
Coates played all three State of Origin games for Queensland in this year’s series but has found himself out of the 15th-placed Broncos.
Walters insists Coates’ axing isn’t related to him joining Melbourne Storm next year and he will wear a Broncos jersey before the season is out.
“There’s no story with Xavier,” Walters said.
“We are very happy with the form of Jamayne Isaako and Corey Oates.
“At the moment he is helping us with our preparation by training against the boys.
“We know he is a good player and even better person. We’d like to think Xavier can get a couple of games in at the Broncos before he departs.
“He has been a lot better this week around the group. He’s got his head around the position he’s in and working with all of us to get that win.
“He understands the situation we’re in with those two guys playing good footy and a winning footy team.
“I’ve been honest with Xavier, that’s all you can do as a coach, be honest with your players.
“I said to Xavier just to hang in there, keep training well and preparing well. I’m sure he will get his opportunity to wear that Broncos jersey again before the season is out, which we’d all love to see.”
COVID KILLS TITANIC BIRTHDAY BASH
The NRL’s strict Covid protocols have rained on the parade of Gold Coast Titans utility Tanah Boyd. The former Broncos playmaker turned 21 last Wednesday week but there was no grand 21st birthday bash to mark the special occasion.
Boyd observed the NRL’s guidelines, which meant celebrating his birthday in lockdown at home without the scores of family and friends who were hoping to turn up for his special day.
NRL players have copped criticism for flouting Covid rules but the actions of Boyd show many are doing the right thing.
JWH CALLS OUT SLAMMIN’ SAM
Roosters hitman Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has called out Broncos legend Sam Thaiday to settle old scores in the boxing ring.
Promoters are putting together a card for the second instalment of the popular NRL All Stars fight night and JWH is keen to renew his spicy rivalry with Thaiday.
The Roosters prop famously clashed at Suncorp Stadium in 2015 when Thaiday got under JWH’s ribs and drove him into the turf. Waerea-Hargreaves took offence and went after Thaiday, almost headbutting the Broncos enforcer as he got up in his face.
Now JWH is keen to put on the boxing gloves and go toe-to-toe with Thaiday, who fought Willie Mason in the inaugural NRL All Stars event in Townsville in February.
At 36, Thaiday is only four years older than Waerea-Hargreaves and is as fearless in the ring as he was on the football field.
Storm star Brandon Smith is also keen to be part of the boxing bonanza, which is scheduled for October this year in Townsville.
DOCTORS SAVE BRONCO’S CAREER
John Asiata is breathing a sigh of relief after surgeons gave the Broncos utility the green light to continue his NRL career.
Asiata recently underwent neck surgery to treat a nerve impingement that has hampered him for two years and saw him taken off on a medicab when the injury flared at Suncorp Stadium earlier this year.
Asiata hasn’t played since June and the Broncos are unlikely to offer the former Cowboys premiership-winning super sub a contract for next season.
But after doctors deemed the operation a success, Asiata is free to resume his career and is hopeful of finding a new home for 2022.
The 138-game veteran turned 28 in April and believes he can play for another five years in the NRL. His ball-playing ability, versatility and experience could be handy for a club looking to bolster its forward stocks.
THE NRL’S NEW MASTER SLEDGER
Broncos five-eighth Tyson Gamble is earning a reputation as the NRL’s sledging king.
Former Bulldogs and Tigers pivot Josh Reynolds was famously known as ‘Grub’ for getting under the skin of rivals and ex-NSW Origin hooker Michael Ennis, these days a commentator on Fox Sports, relished a verbal spat.
Now Gamble has become the NRL’s Mr Niggle. He may have played just 15 NRL games but Gamble is ruffling the feathers of many NRL stars, even 200-plus gamers who can’t stand his in-your-face style.
Off the field, Gamble is one of the most popular players at Red Hill with his energetic personality. The 25-year-old insists he doesn‘t deliberately sledge his rivals but is relishing the competitive fire of the NRL.
“I don’t know if I try to get under their skin, it’s just my competitive nature,” he said.
“I don’t go out there trying to piss people off, it’s just the heat of the battle.
“It’s a war out there, it’s a contact sport so as soon as something happens, I’m not one to take a backward step. I’m always pushing forward no matter what.
“The competitor comes out in me and you can see it in certain games, but I’m not one to back down.”
Broncos teammate Jordan Riki says Gamble is even a pest in opposed sessions at Red Hill.
“Tyson does it at training,” Riki said with a laugh. “Training 13-on-13, he is always aggressive and some of the boys get a bit pissed off but that’s just Tyson.
“He is a competitive bloke and that’s why we love him, we know he will put in 110 per cent at game time because he does the exact same thing at training.
“I’ve been across from him a couple of times at training and he has ripped me into me. People think Tyson just turns it on for games, but no way, it’s the way Tyson is at training as well. We love him for it.”
BRONCOS STILL ON THE HUNT
Brisbane’s aggressive recruitment drive is not over yet with Brodie Croft’s impending departure set to give the Broncos more cash to spend.
The Broncos are still chasing a well-priced middle forward next season to provide some front-row experience to support boom prop Payne Haas.
The Broncos are close to their cap limit for next season but they will have more room to move if Croft leaves the club at season’s end.
The halfback is contracted to Brisbane for another 12 months but has been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs.
Croft, who is on $450,000 at the Broncos, is expected to move to the Super League next season. If he goes early, the Broncos will have additional funds to bolster their forward pack.
LOCAL LEAGUE COMES BACK TO LIFE
Rugby league is booming in Queensland, with the state recording its highest participation numbers in six years.
The Queensland Rugby League has recorded 62,330 participants this year, making it the state’s leading sport for 2021.
QRL managing director Robert Moore will depart his role next month and said it was a great result for the game after last year was wiped out due to Covid.
“We’ve had our challenges, some of which have been well publicised, but what needs to be celebrated is the joy the game has brought to the majority, and the unique opportunities that many participants have embraced as part of their rugby league journey,” he said.
“There’s still a lot to look forward to as well with finals matches just around the corner for our community leagues and two of our statewide competitions – the Intrust Super Cup and Hastings Deering Colts.
“This is the highest level of participation in the last six years, recognising that there is also an additional section of participants who are not captured in this data but play in school or diversity and inclusion events.”
The largest growth in playing participation was in the 13 to 18 years age group (six per cent increase).
Senior participation (19 and older) also increased three per cent compared to 2019, with 14,970 registrations. The Toowoomba, Roma, Mount Isa, Townsville and Gold Coast regions recorded some excellent growth results.
TITANS ON THE MOVE
The Gold Coast Titans will farewell two players to England at season’s end.
Fringe forwards Sam Stone and Jai Whitbread have signed with Super League club Leigh Centurions.
“I‘ve always wanted to play in England, and I think the style of footy will be great for me,” Stone said. “The game in the NRL is very conservative and the English game is much more open and as a player you have the opportunity to express yourself.”
Whitbread added: I think I‘ve been playing some good footy here and I’m looking forward to adapting my game and getting used to Super League — it’s a tough competition.“
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