Concern over flu jabs rule

GOLD Coast captain Ryan James says it will be unfair if Queensland teams can’t host NRL games this year due to the state’s flu vaccination stance.

The NRL is still trying to work out a revised draw for 2020, with the objection of around 10 players to the flu jab a major hurdle.

The Queensland Government has confirmed it won’t allow players who have not been immunised to train and play in the state.

That decision has already forced Titans players Bryce Cartwright and Brian Kelly to stand down, with the pair required to tell the club by today if they will adhere to a formal request to have an injection.

But it also means up to four interstate clubs could be affected when their teams travel to Queensland.

Manly’s Dylan Walker and Canterbury’s Sione Katoa have made their views public on refusing the inoculation, while Canberra has three players — including Josh Papalii — refusing a flu jab.

That has prompted the NRL to consider playing all games in NSW pending any easing of the vaccination stance to avoid teams losing some players for matches played in Queensland. But that would not save Cartwright or Kelly’s season, given they will be unable to train with the club and therefore not play until they receive an immunisation.

And James — who will miss the entire season due to a knee injury — said that would be simply unfair for his team.

“It probably would be (unfair),” he said.

“To have those players stood down and not have any games here would be taking it to another level.

The Titans captain said he would not try to influence Cartwright and Kelly ahead of today’s deadline.