NRL 2021: NRL run postcode check on players amid Covid fears

With Queensland set to close the border to parts of Sydney, the NRL is moving fast to ensure State of Origin Game II is good to go.

Roosters players could be placed under tough COVID-19 restrictions. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The NRL will run a postcode check on every Sydney-based player - a move that will protect the game’s showpiece, State of Origin.

In a developing story, Queensland will shut the border to residents of Waverley in NSW from 1am tomorrow.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said anyone entering Queensland will need to apply for a border pass.

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The decision has caused a reaction from the NRL who are currently researching the residency of every Sydney-based player, to see if any live in Waverley.

With NSW set to play in Queensland in 10-days, the NRL and NSWRL would need to apply for a travel exemption for any Blues player that resides in the Eastern Suburbs suburb of Waverley.

There is no suggestion the Suncorp Stadium clash is in jeopardy.

The NSWRL are confident they won’t be restricted in the team they will be able to select for Origin II providing they follow the necessary health checks.

BLUES SHIFT ORIGIN CAMP TO AVOID SYDNEY Covid SCARE

The Blues will avoid Covid cluster fears in Sydney by shifting their entire State of Origin preparation to Kingscliff on the NSW border.

Brad Fittler’s NSW Origin team are attempting to wrap up the series in Queensland on Sunday June 27. The Blues will travel to the same hotel and training facilities in Kingscliff that they last used under former coach Laurie Daley in 2017.

The decision was made by the NSWRL during a board meeting on Thursday night amid fears the side would be caught up in the latest case that has flared-up in the Eastern Suburbs.

The Blues were scheduled to set-up camp in the heart of the hot spot in Coogee. Instead, the NSW team for game two will be chosen on Sunday afternoon and assemble at the NSWRL centre of excellence before flying to Kingscliff on the north coast of NSW on Monday.

The Blues will then enter enemy territory on Saturday morning for their captains run at Suncorp Stadium.

Blues coach Brad Fittler and captain James Tedesco will take the NSW team to Kingscliff to prepare for Origin II. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

The NSW Origin team’s shift of camp has emerged as the NRL has advised players to avoid “mingling with the public”.

Head of Football Graham Annesley told News Corp the game will remain on level one restrictions but Sydney Roosters players in particular have been told to avoid cafes and restaurants.

“We’ve told the clubs we are not changing the level of protocols at the moment,” Annesley said. “Clubs will stay on level one protocols for the time being, unless things get worse.

“But we are putting in additional measures around the local government areas that are affected.

“We’re telling them to avoid cafes, bars, restaurants in the affected local government areas.

“We’ll continue to review it and things might change if the situation gets worse.

“We’ve advised clubs generally that they should avoid mixing with the general population.”

Roosters players have been advised to avoid cafes and restaurants. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The NRL was again forced into urgent meetings on Thursday morning with its biosecurity experts after four people tested positive to Covid in Sydney over the last 48 hours.

Three of those cases were identified in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, including Bondi, the home of the Roosters. All three cases had visited a number of venues, including popular cafes, in the beachside suburb.

Annesley said no NRL players have been at any of the exposure sites.

It’s expected Roosters players and staff will undergo Covid testing, as a precautionary measure, ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster clash against Penrith at Bluebet Stadium.

The Queensland government is urging anyone who has been at the exposure sites in Sydney not to travel north.

“There are no border closures at the moment, so it’s full steam ahead at this point,” Annesley said. “We don’t expect it to [impact Origin] ... but we are conscious of the fact that things can change quickly so we are monitoring the situation.

“As we’ve shown in the past we’ll do everything we can to ensure the continuity of the competition and the continuity of origin continues.”

Game one of the series, which was originally planned for the MCG, was moved to Townsville after the Victorian government placed the entire state in lockdown earlier this month.

Originally published as NRL 2021: NRL run postcode check on players amid Covid fears