NRL: Penrith Panthers’ four-try hero Charlie Staines stood down for COVID-19 protocol breach
UPDATE: He’s the teen tyro who exploded for Penrith Panthers on debut against the Cronulla Sharks. But now Charlie Staines has been stood down for breach of coronavirus security.
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UPDATE: Last week ended with a bang in the form of a spectacular four-try debut. But now one of the worst weeks of his life is looming for Charlie Staines.
Teenager Staines should be preparing for his second game of NRL but instead he is at the centre of a breach of bio security protocols in the wake of Saturday’s match against the Cronulla Sharks.
The Penrith Panthers informed the NRL of a breach of NRL biosecurity protocols committed by Staines who hosted 10 visitors at his place of residence. The visitors included his parents, his sister, the parents of his partner and four friends.
Current NRL biosecurity protocols stipulate players can host up to 10 visitors at their place of residence each day, however those visitors must attend in groups of no more than five.
Staines also went to hospital on Sunday after a recurrence of lockjaw.
Staines has been stood down from all duties pending the next steps in accordance with the biosecurity protocols.
“Charlie has been extremely naive on this occasion and inadvertently breached the protocols that are in place to protect the game,” Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher said.
“His misunderstanding of the specifics of the guidelines cannot be overlooked, nor can his failure to contact the club before seeking medical treatment for his jaw condition.
“The club and Charlie will now work closely with the NRL to ensure all necessary steps are taken to rectify the situation.”
SPECIAL DEBUT FOR THE FERRARI FROM FORBES
It is something so rare that only seven players have achieved it in more than 100 years of rugby league and a Forbes teenager living at Penrith is now one of them.
Charlie Staines – and carloads of mates who travelled to Sydney to see him – had a night to remember and one which has claimed headlines around the country when the teenager scored four tries on debut in Penrith’s 56-24 demolition of the Cronulla Sharks.
“Ever since I was a kid I didn’t want to do anything else,’’ Staines said after the game.
The teenager said his coaches told him to just back himself and “do what you do’.
“To play this weekend was a dream come true,” Staines told Fox League after the match.
“I’m lost for words.
“One try is great – four tries is unreal.”
Here’s a few things you might not know about rugby league’s newest young champion.
#Staines became the first debutante to score four tries in his first NRL match since Jordan Atkins who achieved this feat for the Gold Coast in 2008.
#Staines is just 19 and was signed on as a development player during the off-season after turning heads when named the NSWRL’s Jersey Flegg player of the year last season.
#Staines was supported by family and friends from the Forbes Magpies who travelled to Sydney to watch his debut and switched ends at half time so they could be as close as possible to him when he scored.
#The young winger has been dubbed the “Ferrari from Forbes”.
#Staines admitted he was a bit nervous prior to the game “but I slept not too bad’’.
MORE CHARLIE STAINES