Stuart keen on charter flights for quick raids

CANBERRA coach Ricky Stuart says the NRL’s plans to use charter flights to transport teams to and from games is a “smart” move and believes it will also benefit his travelweary players.

The NRL’s aim is to lessen players’ exposure to coronavirus by avoiding domestic airports and hotels.

The Raiders’ Round 2 game against the Warriors on Saturday has been shifted from Auckland due to New Zealand travel restrictions.

It will be played at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast and the Raiders plan to travel up and back on the day.

“I think it’s very smart of the NRL to have charter planes fly teams to and from games in the one day – it’s helping to keep the players’ health and welfare at hopefully a safe situation,” Stuart said.

Last year the Raiders faced some serious travel challenges using commercial flights.

Before their Round 15 game against Parramatta in Darwin, their 7.45am flight was delayed by fog and they were put on a 3.30pm flight to Melbourne.

After a three-hour lay-over they finally arrived in the Northern Territory at midnight – 17 hours after they set off – which then impacted their training run.

A similar thing happened last May when they flew to Brisbane – also via Melbourne after mechanical trouble disrupted their schedule.

Stuart said such adversity meant his side was prepared for any travel scenario.

“A chartered aeroplane is going to be a lot better than sitting in an airport for 10 or 12 hours,” he said.