Warriors players unsure about leaving families

The Warriors are collectively putting on a brave face but there is no denying some players have reservations about leaving their families.

Warriors players have just finished a period of self-isolation in New Zealand Picture: AAP

The New Zealand Warriors are collectively putting on a brave face but there is no denying some players have reservations about leaving their families to return to the NRL competition.

That was the honest admission from chief executive Cameron George counting down to Thursday’s meeting of the Project Apollo team that will determine where and how the competition will be relaunched in the coming months.

This comes after the Warriors players were finally allowed out of their homes on Wednesday after a fortnight in house lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. The lockdown dates back to their return to New Zealand after the competition was suspended following round two.

It has even meant that while players could live with their families they were not supposed to eat with them or even be in the same room together, unless their families had travelled with them to Australia previously.

While the rest of the NRL has been debating what life might be like if they are forced to live in a bubble-type situation in the coming weeks, the Warriors players have been living it.

“They are certainly as a group champing at the bit and wanting to play footy,” George said. “But regardless of that professional approach, deep down I am sure there are some personal questions being asked amongst themselves.

“And I am sure there are players at other clubs asking themselves the same questions.

“I think until you know what is actually ahead of you, you can’t really give it full evaluation. But as a club and as a collective they are really keen to get there.”

George also revealed that the club remains in the dark as to whether they would even be allowed to return to Australia because of the border controls.

George said: “I haven’t heard anything from the NRL in regards to any decisions being made”.

The Daily Telegraph