Sign this or you won’t play

ARLC draws line in sand with revised jab waiver

DESPITE pressure to adopt a “no jab, no play” policy, the ARL Commission has revised a vaccination waiver clause to allow NRL players to play if they refuse to get a flu shot.

However, ARLC chairman Peter V’landys has warned players who do not sign the altered waiver will be banned.

The governing body yesterday tinkered with the clause after it emerged Canberra trio Josh Papalii, Sia Soliola and Joseph Tapine refused to sign the waiver on religious grounds and at least two Gold Coast players, including Bryce Cartwright, defiantly rejected vaccination.

Overall 3 per cent of players refused a flu shot that formed part of strict biosecurity measures that will allow the league’s resumption on May 28.

“A clause has been taken out. It used to say they believe by not having it (vaccination) that would put them medically at risk – well they don’t believe that,” V’landys said.

“So we have changed that to say that they have been advised by their medical officer that they are at risk.

“It should’ve been like that in the first place, to be honest.

“So if any player doesn’t execute the waiver they will not be able to play.”

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton yesterday backed Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s call that players who refused vaccination should be banned.

However, V’landys was comfortable with players who refused a flu shot to continue playing as long as they signed the revised waiver.

“My advice is that the people who didn’t want to sign the waiver, if the clause was changed they would sign without a problem,” he said.

“We have listened to them (players), we have made amendments but that’s final.

“If they don’t sign it, they won’t play.”

Dutton upped the ante after Morrison’s “no jab, no play” call on Wednesday, saying the league should apply a blanket ban for players who refused the shot.

“I think that’s spot on,” Dutton said on 2GB radio, adding the Warriors’ exemption into the country was contingent on health commitments. Dutton added the anti-vaccination movement had been discredited for some time and religious grounds should not be exempt.

Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said his club hoped the players would agree to the new release.

“I am (hopeful that’s the end of it). I’m optimistic everyone’s concerns have been taken into consideration,” he said.

“The NRL has been excellent at that and trying to do their best to allay any fears. Hopefully that puts it to bed and we can move on.”