NRL 2021 Covid crisis: Tougher new rules imposed on players
The NRL has imposed strict new guidelines for its players as it attempts to beef up its defence to keep the game up and running as the Covid crisis continues to worsen.
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NRL players have been told they can no longer have visitors at their homes as part of the game’s tough new level four COVID protocols to keep the competition up and running.
It comes as all players returning from State of Origin were forced to undergo COVID tests and are not expected to return to training until Wednesday.
The NRL round will go ahead this weekend with no further changes to match locations at this point, although all games in Sydney and also at Gosford will be played in front of empty stadiums.
Thursday night’s game between the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne has already been moved to Newcastle (where there is currently a 50 per cent crowd limit).
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But ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said the rest of the games would go ahead as planned.
“I think all games will stay where they are for this weekend at this stage,” V’landys said.
“It was just too big a risk to try and change them now. But we will look at it next week to see if we can take some of the games to where we are allowed crowds.”
In regards to the new COVID protocols for all NRL players and officials inside the ‘bubble’, V’landys said it was the same situation the players were faced with last year.
But the difference this time is that the new “Delta” variant is far more contagious, which V’landys said placed more pressure on everyone to abide by the rules.
“As I have said, last year the reason we had the success we had was due to everybody following the protocols,” he continued.
“And the players followed them so professionally and so conscientiously that we were able to see the season out.
“We are asking that again because this one is actually more challenging because it is a much more contagious variant.
“So we seek their assistance more than ever.
“Otherwise if you get a couple of positives it could affect the whole season.”
He said the NRL was still negotiating where Origin III would be played on July 14 that had been scheduled for Sydney’s Olympic Stadium.
At this stage the early tip is the game will be played in Newcastle but V’landys said that had not been set in stone.
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The NSW Government is desperate to fend off interstate raiders for State of Origin III and allow excited Blues fans the opportunity to celebrate what could be the Blues’ first series clean sweep in 21 years.
Brisbane, Melbourne and Gold Coast have emerged as possible venues for the third game on July 14 although Government authorities are hellbent on having the game played here in NSW.
The push is on for the NSW fans to salute and acknowledge in person what is fast becoming one of the greatest NSW sides in State of Origin history.
NSW has not secured a State of Origin clean sweep since way back in 2000 and Blues fans – still hurting from Queensland’s eight-year dynasty – want to be there to provoke, taunt and jeer the hapless Maroons.
“The people of NSW deserve the chance to celebrate a great team and a great series win,” said NSWRL chief executive, David Trodden.
While the NRL will make the final decision, the Government is intent on ensuring the game remains in NSW after losing out to Townsville in game one.
The Daily Telegraph understands there are three options being considered in NSW: Stadium Australia at Sydney Olympic Park, Parramatta’s Bankwest Stadium or Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium.
All venues would potentially be limited to a 50 per cent capacity although the game will be played five days after NSW is due to emerge from its Covid lockdown.
NSW halfback Nathan Cleary knows where he wants to play the third game.
“We want to go three-nil, especially in front of our home crowd in NSW,” Cleary said. “It would be huge.”
Gold Coast’s Cbus Stadium shapes as another genuine alternative as does a return match at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, given Queensland is currently restriction free.
Melbourne is an outsider in the race for Origin III but did win the right for game one, only to have it moved. The Victorian Government may now be reluctant to host a sporting event which would see thousands of Sydney fans travel across the border.
Queensland stadiums, at this point, are running at 100 per cent capacity.
Stadium Australia still presents the best financial option for the NRL, even with a 50 per cent Covid reduced crowd of 41,000.
Bankwest Stadium will be discussed as a possible venue but Newcastle is firming as the sentimental favourite. There is even a suggestion it could be announced sometime this week.
All parties in NSW are aware that Queensland may chase game three after successfully redirecting game one to Townsville at a cost $8.3m.
Having played the opening two games in Queensland, NSW Government authorities are hell bent on having at least one match played in NSW.
McDonald Jones Stadium holds 33,000 fans (16,500 at half capacity) while Bankwest Stadium can accommodate a crowd of 30,000 (15,000 at half capacity).
The only negative for Newcastle would be a fear that thousands of Sydney residents would surge north for the game.
Ticket sales for game three at Stadium Australia have been robust with the match headed for an 82,000 sell out before tickets were taken off sale.
NSW lead the series two-nil after totally dominant performances in Townsville and Brisbane.
The Blues have scored 76 points across both games with struggling Queensland managing just one try and six points.
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