NRL 2021: James Roberts fined $7,500 and suspended for one game over quarantine breach
Nobody is arguing that James Roberts didn’t deserve to be punished for putting the NRL at risk, but coach Michael Maguire is frustrated at the focus Roberts attracts.
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James Roberts was ‘shattered’ following his biosecurity breach but Tigers coach Michael Maguire said the club will rally around the star centre as he continues to complete his quarantine.
Roberts was nearly banned for the rest of the season after he ventured onto his balcony during hotel quarantine in Queensland, in contravention of the government’s COVID-19 protocols.
Cooler heads prevailed and Roberts will instead serve a one-match ban with the Tigers keen to get him physically and mentally ready to return to the field once he’s released from isolation next week.
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“Mentally it is a challenge but Jimmy is going along well now and he’s making sure he’s physically right for when he does come out in the world again so he’s ready to play. He’s doing a lot of training inside the hotel,” Roberts said.
“I think he’ll be pretty good. Until we get him on the ground it’ll be hard to know. We’ll have to wait and see until he starts to run.
“He was shattered, shattered to think this was a topic. He’s been working hard in the background to make sure he can get himself right for playing footy. He’s done a lot of work in the mental space this year to make sure he’s right to go.
“He’s really disappointed that this happened and understands he’s just got to work through it now.”
Roberts will be desperate to return to the field as soon as possible – the Tigers have an option on his contract for next year and he’ll be keen to prove his worth over the closing weeks of the season.
The former Blues Origin centre has crossed for three tries in 11 games this season but has struggled since the NRL returned to a bubble last month.
Maguire was frustrated with attempts to catch the former Rabbitoh out, especially given Roberts’ mental health struggles in the past.
“It’s unfortunate, the world we’re in. Years and years ago people used to look after people in a certain way, make sure they’re OK, unfortunately the world of cameras – they go down this path,” Maguire said.
“But you have to understand that’s the world we’re living in.
“It’s been pretty well-documented on Jimmy’s life and what he’s gone through to this point.
“Mentally, we have to be aware of people’s wellbeing, that’s a big part of what the world is going through now. Not only is it rugby league players, it’s people in general.”
ROBERTS LEARNS FATE FOR Covid BALCONY BREACH
Wests Tigers star James Roberts has been fined and suspended for his Gold Coast balcony breach – but avoided expulsion from the NRL for the rest of this season.
An NRL investigation concluded on Wednesday night after Roberts’ Covid breach threatened to bring down the entire NRL competition.
He has been fined $7500 and suspended for one game. His well-documented battle with mental health was considered in the NRL’s final decision.
The punishment means Roberts will be available for Wests Tigers’ round 22 match against North Queensland.
Roberts was caught contravening Queensland Health protocols on Tuesday after twice walking out onto his room balcony at the Novotel Hotel, Gold Coast.
His actions directly disobeyed strict Queensland Government orders stating all glass doors at the hotel be locked or gaffer taped shut to prevent guests contacting each other room to room and floor to floor.
Roberts, locked in two weeks of quarantine along with the families of NRL players, hung out a wet blue and white hotel towel on the balcony.
The NRL had openly stated that the next player to break Covid protocols would be sent directly home and then suspended for the rest of this season.
NRL officials informed Queensland Health of Robert’s indiscretions but claimed he had been struggling in the tight confines of his room. He was said to have needed some “fresh air.”
Roberts has previously been admitted to rehabilitation to assist with mental health issues.
An NRL media statement read: “The NRL has issued a breach notice to Wests Tigers player James Roberts for failing to comply with a Queensland Public Health directive.
“The notice proposes Roberts is fined $7,500 and suspended for one match to commence when he is eligible for selection. Roberts must also complete education and training programs.
“In determining the proposed sanction, the NRL has taken into account the difficulties Roberts has had in coping with quarantine. Roberts has been provided with additional wellbeing support.
“Roberts has five days to respond to the breach notice.”
Queensland chief medical officer, Jeanette Young, stated just last week that another breach could jeopardise the competition.
The Queensland Government is aware though the NRL is poised to award Brisbane the 2021 grand final.
A decision to expel all teams would kill off Brisbane’s chance to host the October decider.
Roberts is isolating after being deemed a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case at a supermarket in Sydney.
A former NSW centre, Roberts arrived in Queensland last Wednesday. The NRL will provide Roberts with health and wellbeing support.
ROBERTS PUTS ENTIRE NRL AT RISK
Wests Tigers star James Roberts faces expulsion from the NRL for the rest of this season after breaking Queensland’s no-balcony quarantine rules.
And Roberts’ blatant Covid contravention on Tuesday even puts the entire NRL competition at risk.
Roberts was sprung breaching Queensland Health Covid protocols after twice walking out onto the balcony of his room at the Novotel Hotel, Gold Coast. He is locked in two weeks of quarantine along with the families of NRL players.
The Queensland Government has repeatedly told NRL families staying at the hotel to lock and tape shut all balcony doors after guests were sprung exchanging food from floor to floor and room to room.
Families were told to send photo evidence of the taped doors to Queensland Health as proof. The tape appears to be hanging off Roberts’ door.
The NRL has launched an immediate investigation into the Roberts matter after photos emerged of the champion centre placing a white towel on his balcony.
NRL management has previously stated that the next player to break Covid protocols would be sent home and suspended the rest of this season.
The Daily Telegraph has been told the NRL informed Queensland Health of the two breaches but explained that Roberts was struggling inside the tight confines of his room. He is said to have needed some “fresh air”.
UPDATE: Doors have now been taped up as requested by Queensland Government and Queensland Health @telegraph_sporthttps://t.co/zMPVdi6odcpic.twitter.com/4gre4VHuLU
— Fatima Kdouh (@FatimaKdouh_) July 24, 2021
The NRL confirmed the integrity unit was aware of the claims.
“We are aware of the incident as is the NRL and integrity unit,” Wests Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis said. “The club is working with the NRL and Queensland state government.”
Roberts revealed earlier this year he considered quitting rugby league after struggling through the Covid-hit 2020 season with South Sydney.
Roberts has previously entered rehabilitation facilities to help with mental health issues.
Queensland chief medical officer Jeanette Young said last week the final straw for kicking players out of the state would be “if I have any more breaches.”
“That’s for all of them,” Dr Young said, referring to the interstate players and their families.
“This is too risky. We just cannot have people deliberately breaching the rules.”
However, well-placed sources indicate Queensland Health may ease back on their hard line stance given Roberts’ mental health issues.
And the Queensland Government may also baulk at kicking out the NRL given the game’s governing body is poised to award Brisbane the grand final this season.
Roberts is isolating after being deemed a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case at a supermarket in Sydney. The former NSW centre arrived in Queensland last Wednesday. The NRL will provide Roberts with health and wellbeing support.
Roberts’ breach comes as leading Covid-19 expert Peter Collignon said banning people from opening windows seemed like an unfair imposition.
“There are advantages of fresh air. I would think what you have to do is put grills on the window or something like that because fresh air has an advantage,” he said.
“There is significant evidence that increased ventilation and outside fresh air decreased your risk (of catching Covid) particularly in warmer areas like the Gold Coast.”
Prof Collignon agreed that people should not be mingling but blocking access to fresh air was harsh.
“We don’t want people intermingling with each other but it could work by saying: ‘Well, we’ve got a camera up. If you break this (rule) we’ll move you and put you somewhere else. But you do need people to be able to access fresh air.”
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