Sydney Roosters move home game amid Covid-19 outbreak

As Sydney scrambles to contain its latest outbreak of Covid-19, one Harbour City club has made a landmark precautionary move.

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson is looking forward to the trip up the M1. Picture: Matt King / Getty Images

The Sydney Roosters have announced plans to shift their round 16 home game to Newcastle as Sydney moves to contain an outbreak of Covid-19.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Roosters confirmed their clash with the Storm on July 1, originally scheduled for the Sydney Cricket Ground, will now take place at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The move was termed “a precautionary measure” by the club.

“The people of the Hunter Region love rugby league, so it was an easy call to take our round 16 home game to Newcastle,” Roosters head coach Trent Robinson said.

“We always enjoy making the trip to Newcastle and playing at McDonald Jones Stadium, so we’re really looking forward to hosting this game at the ground for all the passionate rugby league fans of Newcastle, including our Roosters members and supporters from the region who will benefit from this being a true home game for them.”

The decision is especially bold considering the stakes of the game. The fifth-placed Tricolours are 0-3 from their clashes with top four sides this season and have a chance to make a statement by defeating the ladder-leading Storm.

With two wins between them and the fourth-placed Rabbitohs, and Manly breathing down their neck in sixth spot, a victory in round 16 would give the Roosters’ top four hopes a vital shot in the arm.

The Knights use McDonald Jones Stadium as their home ground. Picture: Ashley Feder / Getty Images

As of Thursday afternoon, 36 cases from Sydney’s latest outbreak have been linked to a cluster originating in Bondi, less than five kilometres from the Roosters’ home ground.

The Roosters are the first Sydney club to announce plans to move a home fixture in response to the outbreak.

Four other games are scheduled to be played in Sydney in round 16, with no word yet on whether those will be relocated.

All NRL sides have this weekend off as the rugby league world turns its attention to State of Origin II.

On Thursday, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk banned travellers from Greater Sydney from entering the state for the game, which is being held at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

“I know this is a difficult time, but my priority is always the health and safety of Queenslanders,” said Queensland chief health officer Jeannette Young.

It remains to be seen whether crowds will be permitted at the final game of the series, set to be held at Sydney’s Stadium Australia on July 14.

Earlier this week, the NRL instructed players and club officials based in the Greater Sydney region to revert to bubble-like restrictions.

Players have been ordered not to use public transport or attend crowded public places, and must only leave their homes for training and essential activities.