NRL 2020: Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold to isolate after ‘family emergency’

A family emergency means Broncos coach Anthony Seibold must self-isolate for two weeks in another blow for the struggling club.

Anthony Seibold had something more important than football to deal with.

Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold will spend 14 days in self-isolation after staying in Sydney on Friday night for personal reasons.

Broncos CEO Paul White said in a statement Seibold could not fly back to Brisbane with the team after last night’s loss to the Rabbitohs because of a “serious family matter”.

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As a result, he will self-isolate for 14 days when he returns to Queensland.

“Anthony is dealing with a serious family matter and could not fly back to Brisbane with the team after the Rabbitohs game last night,” White said.

“He expects to be able to return to Brisbane within 48 hours but in line with COVID regulations he will need to self-isolate for 14 days once he is back in Queensland.

“Anthony will return to the Broncos after that. Assistant Coach Peter Gentle will coach the team in Anthony’s absence.

“We are working with Anthony to give him all the support he and his family need at this time, and we ask media to respect his privacy.”

The Courier Mail reports Seibold stayed in Sydney because to support his oldest daughter.

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Anthony Seibold has endured a tough year.

Channel 7 reporter Chris Garry said on Twitter Seibold had broken the NRL’s strict biosecurity measures to deal with a “family emergency”.

“He was called late last night for a family issue that is sad and much bigger than football. He will be barred from coaching team for a fortnight as he isolates,” Garry wrote.

It means the Broncos will be without their coach for at least two weeks — a huge blow for a club sitting second-last on the ladder.

On Friday they lost their 10th game from 11 starts since the season restarted in late May, going down 28-10 to South Sydney.

Needing to self-isolate is also a cruel blow on a personal level for Seibold, who is under enormous pressure to keep his job despite being in just the second year of a five-year deal.

The NRL is desperate to protect against the spread of COVID-19 to prevent the season being suspended again, wary of the huge financial repercussions such a move would bring.

Members within each team’s “bubble” have tough rules to follow and are essentially confined to their homes when not travelling to and from games or training.

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett was not at Friday night’s game against his old team after breaking biosecurity restrictions by going to a Sydney restaurant for lunch during the week.

Three members of the Broncos coaching staff were also absent for breaching protocol.

The NRL slapped Bennett with a $20,000 fine for his infringement while the trio of Brisbane staffers — which included legendary halfback Allan Langer — were each fined $5000.

Dragons forward Paul Vaughan also copped a $10,000 fine for attending a Wollongong cafe.