NRL players told to avoid contact with fans as virus spreads

NRL players have been told to avoid handshakes and unnecessary contact with fans as the game combats the coronavirus.

Parramatta fans will attend the new season’s opening game at Bankwest Stadium with the code gearing up to combat the spread of coronavirus. Picture: Brett Costello

NRL players have been told to avoid handshakes and unnecessary contact with fans — and refrain from taking pens or objects to sign from them — as the game steps up its attempts to combat the threat of the coronavirus.

It is understood club doctors met NRL chief medical officer Paul Bloomfield late last week where the fresh measures were discussed. Those plans were then shared with clubs and players in the lead-up to the opening round of the premiership, which kicks off at Bankwest Stadium on Thursday night when Parramatta host Canterbury.

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Although tickets are selling well for the Thursday night match, there are concerns that crowds will be down at NRL matches as fears over the spread of the virus grow.

It is understood as part of the effort to combat the virus, players across the game have also been warned to practise good hygiene when it comes to sneezing and coughing. Further, they have been encouraged to use regular cleaning services and avoid sharing towels and water bottles, and take precautions with their food preparation.

The measures come as sports across the globe battle with the impact of the coronavirus. Already codes in Europe have either cancelled games or ordered that they be played behind closed doors, thereby removing the threat that escalates with large crowds.

A number of sports have also banned handshakes. The NRL has not reached that extreme level yet, although there are genuine concerns that codes in this country are slowly heading down that path.

In the meantime, the NRL is taking every precaution as it looks to ensure the code remains on track heading into the season given the financial ramifications that could follow disruption from the coronavirus. While the league has millions stashed away after two years of profit, the last thing it would want is to use that money to prop up the code if it were ravaged by the coronavirus. An NRL spokesperson said Dr Bloomfield was providing club medical staff with regular updates.

“At this stage it is business as usual in terms of season preparations — the last advice we’ve had is that there is no current threat to sporting organisations,” he said.

“The NRL’s working group is in constant dialogue with health officials regarding best practice and the spread of the virus.

“Clearly there are a number of precautions which clubs and players can take in order to minimise the risk and we are providing the clubs with that information.

“Like all employers, we will continue to monitor the situation, and take advice from the federal government as the situation unfolds. Our priority is to keep the clubs and players as informed and up to date as possible.”

Parramatta hooker Reed Mahoney, whose club opens the season on Thursday night, couldn’t help poking some fun at the coronavirus threat when quizzed about it on Monday.

“I think Maika (Sivo) has been taking all the toilet paper from the club,” Mahoney said.

“The club has followed all the protocols. I haven’t really thought about it too much. It’s not a problem at the club.”

Meanwhile, the powers of referees boss Bernard Sutton have been diluted with the power to appoint referees handed over to a seven-man panel.

Sutton was accused of nepotism last year after passing judgment on the performances of his brothers, Gerard and Chris.

The NRL ordered a review into the refereeing department at the end of last year, the work carried out by leadership expert Shane McCurry. The decision to strip Sutton of his powers is as a result of that review.

“The National Rugby League has created an independent referees appointment panel, featuring three former first grade players, responsible for overseeing all first grade and representative refereeing appointments,” the NRL said in a statement.

“The new panel is a direct recommendation of the McCurry Review into the referees department which was conducted last year and ensures greater transparency and more voices determining referee appointments.”

The new panel is chaired by general manager of elite competitions Jason King, a former NRL player. Fellow former players David Fairleigh and David Boyle along with former referees Russell Smith and Gavin Reynolds are also on the panel.

Sutton will remain as referees boss and all whistleblowers will report to him.

NRL head of football Graham Annesley said the new panel would free up more time for Sutton to focus on high performance and remove any perceived issues surrounding the transparency of refereeing appointments.