NRL 2020: Anti-vaxxers throw season return into disarray
Queensland teams could be forced to play in NSW when the NRL returns on May 28 with anti-vax players set to be refused from entering the state to play games.
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The NRL’s anti-vaxxers have thrown the season draw into disarray and could force Queensland teams to play in NSW until the government relaxes vaccination and travel restrictions.
The NRL has been forced to formulate contingency plans after Queensland Government figures banned flu-jab rejecting players from entering the state to play games.
Gold Coast Titans duo Bryce Cartwright and Brian Kelly have been stood down from training after refusing to receive influenza vaccinations and the issue has now presented a huge hurdle for the NRL ahead of the May 28 season relaunch.
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Queensland chief medical officer Dr Jeannette Young confirmed players from interstate clubs will not be allowed to play games in Queensland if they have not been vaccinated.
That has thrown the NRL’s formulation of a new-look 2020 premiership draw into disarray given players from four clubs have opted not to receive the injection.
Among them are Canberra stars Josh Papalii, Sia Soliola and Joe Tapine along with Manly’s Dylan Walker.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys told News Corp the NRL was investigating how to structure the draw if several players are not allowed to enter Queensland.
“We’re going to have to look at it all because there are also NSW-based players, it’s another challenge we have got to face,” he said.
“If you take the two players out of the Gold Coast then the Queensland teams are 100 per cent and there’s no problem.
“It’s the NSW players coming into Queensland (which is an issue). We might have to play them in NSW.
“We will have to have a contingency plan. There’s no doubt about that.
“That’s another complication with the draw. Those four clubs might not play in Queensland for the first four rounds.
“That delays the draw even further.”
The NRL has been stuck in awkward position regarding the vaccination issue.
With the Queensland Government refusing to soften its stance, the NRL must protect the integrity of the premiership but also not put protocol-following Queensland clubs like the Broncos and Cowboys at a disadvantage.
Cartwright and Kelly have given no indication to the Titans they are willing to be vaccinated and V’landys said he hoped the reluctant players across the game would help ease the NRL’s problems.
“We respect what the Queensland Government and chief medical officer wants and we will work to that,” he said.
“That requirement will change once the travel restrictions are moved but that might be weeks away.
“It’s only the Queensland situation that is complex. Everywhere else is fine. There are only four clubs affected.
“Hopefully some of these players will go and get vaccinated so there’s no problem.”
Dr Young said she had written to the NRL on Monday outlining the government’s stance on the anti-vaccination issue.
“I sent a letter to the NRL yesterday in which I did exempt them from medical contraindication no different from the exemptions I provide for children who are attending childcare or people who visit aged care so they have those same exemptions,” she said.
“If they’ve got medical reasons for not being vaccinated (they’re allowed to play).
“They’re very clear, if they’ve had an anaphylactic reaction to a previous flu vaccine or to any component of the flu vaccine then you do not need to be vaccinated. I’ve provided that exemption. (Philosophical reasons) are not covered.
“Although the NRL didn’t put that in their initial submission to me, I thought that was reasonable that the NRL players, staff and coaches and officials have that same exemption I provide for visitors going to aged care facilities or indeed for children.
“If children aren’t vaccinated, you will be aware they can’t do certain things as well.”
Brisbane Broncos recruit Jesse Arthars – who played alongside Cartwright and Kelly at the Titans last year – said it would be unfortunate for clubs to miss out on playing in Queensland because of rejecting the flu shot.
“That would be a bummer if teams couldn’t come up to Queensland and we couldn’t play at our home ground, but as a club we are keen to get back to footy,” Arthars said.
“If it meant travelling down to Sydney, the guys would be OK with that, but the vaccine stuff is all personal preference.
“The clubs are trying to get everyone to do it but there’s some guys who don’t want to do it and that’s up to them I guess.”
Originally published as NRL 2020: Anti-vaxxers throw season return into disarray