A FAMILY AFFAIR
Today, 50 Warriors players and staff will expand their bubbles for a flight across the Tasman after permission by the Australian Government, to be a part of a resumed NRL competition. They’ll have to quarantine for 14 days and train in isolation but it is
As loved ones of the Warriors playing and coaching team prepare to farewell the NRL squad before they cross the Tasman today, club boss Cameron George has vowed to reunite the families in Australia as soon as possible.
The club was yesterday given permission by the Australian Government to enter the country, allowing them to be part of a resumed 2020 NRL competition later this month.
The competition was halted after just two rounds by the global Covid19 pandemic. But before they take the field, the club’s players and coaches will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine at a facility in Tamworth, New South Wales.
Fifty players and staff will travel on a chartered flight today from Auckland Airport. But the travelling group does not include any loved ones.
As the players were packing their bags last night, George told the Herald on Sunday negotiations were already under way to enable families of the league stars into Australia.
“That has been a priority for us — it has been non-negotiable with the NRL . . . [and] that is my personal commitment to the club,” George said.
“Not every family could go and some don’t want to go; all families are different.”
George confirmed representations were being headed by the NRL to the Australian and NSW governments for family members who wanted to fly to Australia, where they would have to undergo their own quarantine before being reunited with partners.
The NRL had been in charge of successful negotiations with government officials to get the Warriors dispensation to enter Australia.
The chartered plane will leave from a private section of Auckland Airport, allowing players’ partners and families to farewell them.
But the families would not all be congregating together to ensure New Zealand’s Covid-19 lockdown level 3 regulations were not breached. George said contrary to some Australian media reports, the Warriors were always keen to take part in a continuation of the 2020 NRL. But he said that support had come on the proviso all steps would be made to support getting families across the Tasman, as well as certainty over how players’ income was going to be impacted by the disrupted season.
“This is about human beings and doing all we could [to help support].”
Before the NRL announced the Warriors were permitted to travel to Australia, it was revealed all players in the NRL would receive 80 per cent of the value of their 2020 contracts.
“[The] uncertainty has been very challenging for the families and players involved,” George said.
Peter V’landys — chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, the sporting body which organises the NRL — yesterday described the Warriors’ return as “an excellent outcome for rugby league”.
As well as thanking the Australian and NSW governments, V’landys also paid tribute to George and his playing and coaching staff.
“We cannot thank the Warriors enough for everything they are doing. Right from the start of this pandemic, the club and its players have put the competition first, and for that, we will be forever thankful.”
George said the club also appreciated the support of its sponsors, fans and members who had financially supported the side from the start of 2020 “on the proviso they would be playing in New Zealand”.
Asked if he thought the Warriors would play in New Zealand again this year, he responded: “If you asked two weeks ago, I would say no.
“But I am holding some hope. I am not sitting here saying it will happen, but I am taking some confidence in the way things are trending in both cases [Australia and New Zealand].” ●