NRL protocols means extra players could wait on bus for late call-up

NRL clubs are preparing to have players originally overlooked for the top 20-man squad wait outside grounds in case of a late call-up.

Gold Coast players training at the Titans’ high performance centre on Monday. Picture: AAP

NRL clubs are preparing to have players originally overlooked for the top 20-man squad wait outside grounds — possibly on the team bus — as cover in case any player is ruled out late on game day due to COVID-19 protocols.

As part of strict NRL game day rules, every player will have his temperature taken at the ground’s entrance gate on arrival.

The NRL on Monday released a detailed 60-page document to clubs detailing protocols for game day. Clubs fear players may be ruled out with flu-like symptoms only an hour before kick-off.

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Clubs will be permitted to carry 20 players but officials say that may not allow them to carry additional players in specialist positions, primarily the spine. The late withdrawal of players would require replacements to be close to the ground for a swift transition into the side. That could mean players 21-32 travel to the ground and wait outside until the team has been cleared medically fit to play. This scenario may be even more difficult to overcome for interstate sides on the road.

Clubs admit those additional players cannot be far from the ground if a player is ruled out just 90 minutes to two hours before kick-off. Some may even be told to wait on the team bus.

Players would not have sufficient time to travel from Cronulla or Bondi to Bankwest Stadium in an hour, or from Manly to Central Coast, or Wollongong to Campbelltown.

“You have to think outside the square about what could possibly happen,” Panthers medical co-ordinator Craig Catterick said.

“You will have to say to players hold tight, you’re on standby. You could have two players with flu-like symptoms. The make-up of your team could change at the gate’s entrance.

“Players 1-20 are under the reality they are preparing to play but players, say 21 to 26, will have to be on standby should the flu rip through. And if the flu gets hold of a team, it can really do a job on you under the strict code we’re under now. In reality, the (reserve) players would have to be close by.

“Teams will rock up with their 20 players but if two or three of those 20 are stopped at the gate and told they can’t come in, you have to have other players on standby. Players 21 to 32 are on standby at any one time.

“If you lose one, six and nine through flu-like symptoms, there aren’t many teams that would carry a spare one, six and nine in their 20. There will be utility players but coaches may want a specialist.

“You’d have to have players close by if the need be. Going into the flu season, who knows what you could lose on game day. If two or three players aren’t feeling 100 per cent on game day morning then you’d want a couple of players on standby.

“What happens if you lose your head coach and orange shirt (chief on-field trainer) on game day? Does he go sit in his car and watch it on Foxtel? These are the contingency plans we are throwing up.’’

Penrith will contact every player on the morning of a match to check whether any are suffering flu-like symptoms.

“We will get an oral update on them,” Catterick said. “If someone isn’t feeling 100 per cent, then we could tell the coach there is a potential issue. It will be tough for teams that fly in and fly out. You can only fly with 20 and if you lose a couple then you are stuck with what you’ve got. The Sydney-based sides will have an advantage in being able to call on players.”

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH