https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/bu...g-covid-19-exposure-site-20210625-p5845x.html
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys insists the NRL competition won’t be suspended despite three Bulldogs players being forced into isolation after attending a Bondi pub now listed as a COVID-19 exposure site.
Dylan Napa, Brandon Wakeham and Aaron Schoupp have undergone immediate COVID tests after attending the Royal Hotel on Sunday night – days after the NRL warned players to stay away from restaurants, clubs or bars in the Waverley local government area.
The rest of their teammates have been stopped from training until the results of the tests are known.
Napa, Wakeham and Schoupp face sanctions for the pub visit, which came after Canterbury surrendered a half-time lead against Parramatta at Bankwest Stadium. The venue was attended by a person who returned a positive COVID test.
The players could face 14 days in isolation - missing Canterbury’s next match against Manly on July 3 - as per NSW Health advice.
“It’s not going to risk the competition at all as it’s only one team and they haven’t come into contact with any other team,” V’landys said. “If they come back negative they will probably put into isolation for 14 days and we’ll get more biosecurity advice from there.
‘The players last year showed enormous conscientiousness and professionalism. One incident isn’t reflective of the vast majority.’
“They certainly broke the protocols, they were well aware they couldn’t go into that LGA, specifically restaurants, bars and pubs. But in saying that we want to give them natural process and due justice.
“What I’m stressing is I hope people don’t see this one incident as reflective of the players, because the players last year showed enormous conscientiousness and professionalism in keeping the competition going. One incident isn’t reflective of the vast majority.”
The NRL has ordered a deep clean of Canterbury’s Belmore training facilities and the entire Bulldogs squad has been banned from practice until the results of further COVID testing is known. It’s believed Napa, Wakeham and Schoupp all checked into the pub using their QR codes.
“All clubs in the Greater Sydney, Wollongong and Central Coast areas were placed on level 3+ biosecurity protocols from Tuesday evening and are not permitted to leave home except to train or access essential services,” the NRL said in a statement.
“The NRL will continue to seek advice from its biosecurity experts and NSW Health to ensure no risk to other teams or the community.”
NRL clubs have a rest weekend with the women’s State of Origin match to be played at the Sunshine Coast on Friday night, while the men’s clash will be played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday night.
The off-contract Napa is fighting for his NRL career, while Wakeham has forced his way into Canterbury’s halves at the expense of off-season recruit Kyle Flanagan, who has been relegated to NSW Cup.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys insists the NRL competition won’t be suspended despite three Bulldogs players being forced into isolation after attending a Bondi pub now listed as a COVID-19 exposure site.
Dylan Napa, Brandon Wakeham and Aaron Schoupp have undergone immediate COVID tests after attending the Royal Hotel on Sunday night – days after the NRL warned players to stay away from restaurants, clubs or bars in the Waverley local government area.
The rest of their teammates have been stopped from training until the results of the tests are known.
Napa, Wakeham and Schoupp face sanctions for the pub visit, which came after Canterbury surrendered a half-time lead against Parramatta at Bankwest Stadium. The venue was attended by a person who returned a positive COVID test.
The players could face 14 days in isolation - missing Canterbury’s next match against Manly on July 3 - as per NSW Health advice.
“It’s not going to risk the competition at all as it’s only one team and they haven’t come into contact with any other team,” V’landys said. “If they come back negative they will probably put into isolation for 14 days and we’ll get more biosecurity advice from there.
‘The players last year showed enormous conscientiousness and professionalism. One incident isn’t reflective of the vast majority.’
“They certainly broke the protocols, they were well aware they couldn’t go into that LGA, specifically restaurants, bars and pubs. But in saying that we want to give them natural process and due justice.
“What I’m stressing is I hope people don’t see this one incident as reflective of the players, because the players last year showed enormous conscientiousness and professionalism in keeping the competition going. One incident isn’t reflective of the vast majority.”
The NRL has ordered a deep clean of Canterbury’s Belmore training facilities and the entire Bulldogs squad has been banned from practice until the results of further COVID testing is known. It’s believed Napa, Wakeham and Schoupp all checked into the pub using their QR codes.
“All clubs in the Greater Sydney, Wollongong and Central Coast areas were placed on level 3+ biosecurity protocols from Tuesday evening and are not permitted to leave home except to train or access essential services,” the NRL said in a statement.
“The NRL will continue to seek advice from its biosecurity experts and NSW Health to ensure no risk to other teams or the community.”
NRL clubs have a rest weekend with the women’s State of Origin match to be played at the Sunshine Coast on Friday night, while the men’s clash will be played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday night.
The off-contract Napa is fighting for his NRL career, while Wakeham has forced his way into Canterbury’s halves at the expense of off-season recruit Kyle Flanagan, who has been relegated to NSW Cup.
I mean we should be more proactive and careful here just in case.