Players back in level-four lockdown

The NRL is back on high alert as they look to appease state governments and ensure the game goes ahead.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 25: NRL CEO Andrew Abdo speaks during the NRL Indigenous Round Launch at Rugby League Central on May 25, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

The entire NRL was on Monday night put back in level four lockdown as the game’s powerbroker warned of the low margin for error and the need to take extreme action to ensure the safety of players, the integrity of the competition and the favour of state governments.

Club bosses were told of the drastic measures in a phone hook-up late on Monday before an email was sent to the respective clubs informing them that the new biosecurity protocols would come into effect from midnight.

The new rules mirror the protocols that were in effect when the game returned on May 28 last year. They apply across the entire NRL and mean that players and staff must remain at home unless they are training, playing or performing essential tasks such as shopping or childcare duties.

Bars, restaurants and cafes are no-go zones. Visitors are banned. As is private training. Health and whereabouts reports are to be submitted at 2pm each day. Travel buy Uber or in taxis requires pre-approval from the NRL’s Project Apollo.

Each club will again be provided with a biosecurity officer, or Covid cop as they were dubbed last year. The NRL has stepped it up a notch as Covid again threatens to play havoc with sport across the country.

“When the competition resumes on Thursday night, players and officials will be under the same protocols as they were when the competition successfully resumed on May 28 last year,’’ NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“It’s clear the virus is spreading quickly and these measures provide an additional safeguard to ensure the competition can continue.

“Our players, officials and clubs united last year to ensure no risk to the competition or the community and I have every confidence the same will apply as we work through the current challenges.”

In his email to the clubs, Abdo provided more insight into the seriousness of the situation and the delicate nature of dealings with state governments.

“There is significant uncertainty at the moment as to what actions public health authorities will take and what will be required of the NRL and its clubs as a result over the coming weeks,” Abdo wrote.

“The (ARL) Commission and I have given long and careful thought to this move and have taken detailed advice from the game’s biosecurity experts.

“The move to level (four) is necessary for two reasons: we need to ensure the safety of our people during this uncertain phase of the pandemic in Australia, and we need to ensure that the NRL continues to receive the government approvals and exemptions necessary to continue to deliver our competitions.

“With a large proportion of the NSW population already in home lockdown and escalating public health restrictions in other areas, these exemptions will only become more critical over the coming weeks and must be earned through the efforts our personnel and clubs are willing to make.

“The protocol levels will be regularly reviewed – it is the commission and NRL’s intention only to have high protocols in place as long as absolutely necessary to achieve the above.

“The apparent high transmissibility of the Delta Covid variant means that we have a very low margin for error and any breaches, even those innocent or mistaken in nature, can have serious consequences.”

Games in the Sydney lockdown region will be played without crowds this weekend and there remains a question mark over the destination of the third State of Origin game, which was scheduled for Stadium Australia but could yet be moved to Newcastle.

Money will be an overriding concern for the ARL Commission as they prepare to make a call on the Origin III venue. ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys concedes the likelihood of it being played at Stadium Australian is diminishing by the day.

The good news for the commission is that there is interest in hosting the game elsewhere, although the preference is to keep it in NSW given Queensland had the good fortune to host the opening two games.

“We’re fortunate because a lot of places want it,” V’landys said. “Again, it all depends on what happens in the next few days with the virus. We would like to make a decision by the end of the week.”

Asked whether Newcastle was an option if the game needed to be moved, V’landys said: “Ideally we would like to have it in Newcastle but there are a couple of variables – we definitely need a crowd. It is a real heartland and it will be packed out.”