NRL boss explains Rabbitohs star’s Covid-19 situation
PETER V’landys says South Sydney star Damien Cook is still in danger of missing Friday night’s blockbuster grudge match against the Sydney Roosters even if the Covid isolation period is reduced from seven to five days this week.
It comes as the NRL chairman also issued a pre-finals alert to all NRL players to “sacrifice for the next few weeks” to ensure Covid is not the deciding factor in the race for this year’s premiership.
In a shock twist, it’s emerged that the Rabbitohs are preparing to name Cook in their team for the historic opening of the new Allianz Stadium, even though Cook missed last weekend’s game against the Cowboys after testing positive on Saturday.
Under the existing seven-day isolation protocols, that would mean Cook would still be unavailable for Friday night’s game.
However, Souths have been reportedly tipped off by their No.1 fan, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, that the isolation period is likely to be reduced to five days at a national cabinet meeting on Wednesday – just in time to make Cook available to play.
However, V’landys said it was not that clear cut.
“We always follow the government protocols,” V’landys said. “However, there is no guarantee that after five days you are negative.
“So they will still have to pass the rapid antigen test. Those requirements will all still be there.
“There are three criteria that a player has to meet in order to come back (after testing positive to Covid).
“One, he has to test negative. “Two, he has to show no symptoms. And three, the club doctor has to sign him off.
“So if he failed a rapid antigen test, he won’t be allowed back.
“Even if there is a five-day turnaround doesn’t necessarily guarantee that he is going to be negative.
“I know when I got it I was still testing positive until the seventh day.
“This is the second time Damien has had it.
“He may have a small dose and that could leave his system pretty quickly.”