By Adrian Proszenko and Adam Pengilly
The chairman of the Rugby Football League has described Australia and New Zealand’s decision to pull out of the World Cup as “selfish, parochial and cowardly” and the International Rugby League said players had the rug pulled out from under them.
On the same day league officials expressed a desire for the code to become an Olympic event in time for the Brisbane 2032 Games, the Australian Rugby League Commission and New Zealand Rugby League told the IRL and World Cup organisers of their stance.
RFL boss Simon Johnson lashed the decision and tournament organisers were fuming at only being given about 10 minutes notice of the announcement, which risks $47.5 million in UK government funding.
The Herald has been told by sources familiar with the situation the money was initially contingent on the event being played in 2021.
In a joint statement, the ARLC and NZRL said the call to withdraw from the World Cup came after considering the risk of COVID-19 infection in the UK, the worsening environment in Australia and the time a majority of NRL players will spend away from home under strict biosecurity conditions prior to the World Cup.
The ARLC and NZRL resolved that, in the present environment, the risks to athletes and officials travelling to the UK to participate in the tournament this year are too great, and it is unable to endorse Australia and New Zealand’s participation.
The Kangaroos and Kiwis have boycotted the World Cup.Credit: Getty
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said player wellbeing and safety must come first.
“Not participating in this year’s World Cup is not a decision the commission has taken lightly, but we must put the best interests of our players and officials first,” V’landys said.
“Protecting them is our absolute priority.
“In the current environment, the risks to the safety, health and wellbeing of the players and officials travelling from Australia to participate in the tournament this year are insurmountable. The majority of NRL players are currently living away from home under difficult biosecurity protocols. They would then be required to remain under protocols and away from home for the duration of the tournament before again quarantining on return to Australia. This is too much to ask our players and officials to do.
“We have again requested the IRL and Rugby League World Cup consider postponing the event until 2022 to enable all players to participate.”
An emergency meeting of the Asia-Pacific Rugby League Confederation has been scheduled for next week to discuss whether the likes of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji will still compete in the tournament, if it goes ahead in October.
A number of Australian stars including James Tedesco, Damien Cook and Christian Welch had said in the previous week they would be willing to play for the Kangaroos, but that now won’t happen.
NRL clubs had been agitating for the World Cup to be postponed 12 months with the event due to start three weeks after the scheduled grand final.
World Cup organisers had agreed to provide charter flights for players and officials from the southern hemisphere and a special quarantine facility at Sydney Olympic Park had been discussed for the mandatory two-week isolation period returning home.
The obvious question being asked of us is why rugby league players are not able to make the same sacrifices as players from other sports?
Troy Grant
International Rugby League chairman Troy Grant said he found it “difficult to find the words that adequately describe my disappointment with [Australia and New Zealand’s] decision”. He said the call would “significantly compromise” the tournament.
“The next week will be critical but despite whatever happens, my job as IRL chair is to pick up the pieces of international rugby league’s tarnished reputation as a result of these decisions when quite clearly other sports have demonstrated their ability to run events during the pandemic, both in England and in other countries with equal challenges from the pandemic, including Australian and New Zealand representation,” Grant said.
“The obvious question being asked of us is why rugby league players are not able to make the same sacrifices as players from other sports? Sadly, players are telling me they haven’t had the opportunity to make that decision for themselves.”
World Cup officials had been buoyed by the success of the Euro soccer tournament and Wimbledon, which were played in front of crowds, with more than half of the UK fully vaccinated against the virus.
NZRL CEO Greg Peters said the decision to withdraw was in the best interests of players and officials despite his country signing an official participation agreement. Australia had yet to do so.
“The safety and wellbeing of our people is the main priority, and unfortunately that cannot be guaranteed to our satisfaction,” he said.
“There are stark differences between how the pandemic is being managed in the UK compared to Australasia and recent developments have highlighted how quickly things can change.
“The tournament organisers have moved heaven and earth to make this work, so it is not an easy decision, but the COVID-19 situation in the UK shows no sign of improving, and it’s simply too unsafe to send teams and staff over.
“We understand how disappointing this is for fans and those involved; however player and staff safety remains paramount.”
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