NRL 2021: Email reveals plan to rush players back to Covid-infected NSW after season

A club boss has hit out at the plan to rush players out of Queensland, questioning why the NRL is dodging the World Cup but will risk a hasty repatriation to New South Wales.

NRL will demand players who are based in Sydney leave Queensland within two days of their seasons ending. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty

Clubs are bewildered at a NRL repatriation plan which will means players are moved out of Queensland just two full days after their final match this season and returned to Covid-infected NSW.

The Daily Telegraph has obtained an email sent to all club CEOs and football managers on Monday from NRL chief financial officer Richard Gardham outlining the NRL’s “repatriation process”.

Clubs are confused over why the NRL, which will cover the travel costs, would fly its prime assets, the players, back to NSW — which recorded its worst day since the pandemic began on Monday — only 48 to 72 hours after the season from the relative safety of Queensland.

Club bosses have even spoken among themselves about asking the NRL to keep players in Queensland and splitting the accommodation and living costs.

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The decision to rush players home, according to the clubs, is based on the NRL’s desire to end the expensive south-Queensland hubs for players and families which costs around $12m to $15m a month.

In the email, Gardham wrote: “All relocated players, officials and families in the bubble will be provided the opportunity to return to their point of origin on a commercial flight. At this time the expectation is a commercial flight will be provided no more than 72 hours after each clubs last 2021 NRL match.

“This is to provide sufficient time for clubs to conduct end of season medicals and interviews. A standard template will be issued closer to the time for clubs to complete at the appropriate time.

NRL will demand players who are based in Sydney leave Queensland within two days of their seasons ending. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty

“Clubs will be provided with two full days after their last game to complete medicals and interviews before checking out of their hotel on the third day after their last game.

“Any player, official or family who remains in Queensland, or doesn’t return to their point of origin, will be responsible for their own repatriation and living costs after the team checks out of their hotel.

“Returning NRL club personnel and family members may be subject to restrictions in their home state should there be border closures or travel restrictions in place.”

The clubs believe players are shielded and at low-risk by remaining in Queensland.

“Why bring them back to Sydney?” said one CEO. “And what about the players who live in LGA hot spots out west of Sydney? If the NRL is worried about the protection of the competition, they leave the players there.

Part of the email sent to club CEOs.

“They say they won’t fly players to the World Cup in England because of the Covid situation but then want to fly them back to NSW. Gladys (Berejiklian) is saying this is going to get really difficult in September and October and we won’t be at 80 per cent vaccinated until the end of November.

“The NRL has spent all this money to keep the players Covid-free and then they’re going to bring them all back. It doesn’t make a lot of sense.

“The NRL wants to save money but what about clubs going halves with the NRL to keep the players where they are?”

Another NRL club CEO added: “The players can have a safe, three-month holiday in the Gold Coast. They should get all the clubs on a Zoom call and ask how this could be done a different way. If they want them back immediately to have them vaccinated by early November then that’s okay but they haven’t told us that.”

Clubs are awaiting the NRL’s vaccination policy but want the governing body to start education programs about vaccination as soon as possible.

West Tigers will struggle to play finals. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty

The NRL plan to release its vaccination guidelines in the next two to three weeks.

Addressing the post-season exit from Queensland, Gardham wrote: “For those clubs who ahead of round 25 are unable to qualify for finals they will be asked to provide a list of travellers by 5pm on Tuesday 31 August so flights can be arranged.

“Any other club who doesn’t make the finals after round 25 will be asked to submit their travel list within 24 hours of their last match. All clubs who make the finals must provide a provisional list of repatriation travellers by 5pm Wednesday 8th September.

“Clubs involved in finals will then be asked to confirm final flight lists within 24 hours of their last match so bookings can be finalised.”

There are reports suggesting the New Zealand Warriors could be stranded in Australia until mid-December if the trans-Tasman bubble remains closed.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Email reveals plan to rush players back to Covid-infected NSW after season