NRL 2021: CEO Andrew Abdo defends border exemption for players, families

The NRL has come out swinging in defence of its decision to fly officials and families into Queensland this week – in defiance of the state’s strict border ban in place.

The NRL has hit back at criticism of its decision to jet 100 WAGS and officials to Queensland this week as a host plan to remain in the Sunshine State instead of returning to Covid-ravaged Sydney and Melbourne.

The NRL’s Queensland relocation will informally extend beyond the October 3 grand final as southerners escape Covid lockdowns in their home states.

The Queensland holiday news comes as NRL chief Andrew Abdo defended the league’s decision to fly a new group of associates into Brisbane on Monday with only a month left in the season.

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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has come under fire for granting the NRL an exemption. Picture: Adam Head

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has come under fire after the NRL was granted an exemption despite the state’s two-week border closure, which has now been relaxed following a public outcry.

The party of about 100 included families and officials from a host of clubs including premiership contenders South Sydney, Penrith and Melbourne, who did not make the original cut when the entire competition relocated to Queensland in July.

The group that arrived in Brisbane on Monday will exit hotel quarantine on September 13 with less than three weeks and only five games remaining in the season.

There are now more than 500 NRL affiliates from interstate clubs residing in Queensland to complete the 2021 premiership season, injecting millions into the state’s economy.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo is comfortable with players and their families remaining in Queensland. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Photos

The NRL will offer flights to players, officials and their families to return home within three days of their club’s last games, but is expecting many to remain in Queensland.

Abdo said the NRL planned to have everyone in Queensland earlier.

“We couldn’t get in earlier,” he said.

“There was a cap on how many people we could take in the beginning. We couldn’t get them in and we have been trying for a while. The original intention was earlier.

“The vast majority are families of the clubs in the finals and they will get to see the last three weeks of the competition.

“All we have done is follow the processes given to us. There were multiple sports seeking an opportunity to enter Queensland and we worked through the process.”

The Courier-Mail has been told of numerous players and officials sourcing accommodation in Queensland to continue their stay in the state post-season.

Abdo said they were not breaking any government rules by remaining in Queensland and the NRL was comfortable with the situation.

The families of some players arrived in Queensland last month.. Picture: Nigel Hallett

However the optics of NRL affiliates from Victoria and NSW holidaying in Queensland while residents are having difficulty returning home is another public relations blow for Palaszczuk’s government.

“It’s the same rule as anyone who has been given an exemption to quarantine and enter the state,” Abdo said.

“They are able to stay for as long as they want. It’s the same as the AFL last year and anyone who enters Queensland.

“We will fund their accommodation for the clubs and players for 72 hours after their last game.

“Once that’s complete, the players will either fly home or they can remain in Queensland at their own personal expense, just like anyone else. We don’t have any issues with that and neither does the government.

“It’s a great investment into the state because it’s really helping bolster the economy. They’re going to be staying in hotels and eating at restaurants and the like.

“The vast majority will come back. Some might decide to stay with family or relatives there.”

The entire Warriors operation is planning to remain in Queensland due to complexities around returning to New Zealand.

The Warriors are likely to be based at affiliate club Redcliffe and start pre-season training in November, which means they will begin a third straight NRL campaign in Australia.

Originally published as NRL 2021: CEO Andrew Abdo defends border exemption for players, families