Q’land teams allowed to stay home; Warriors set to travel

SYDNEY: The NRL has taken a quantum leap towards resumption, with Queensland teams allowed to train in their home state and the Warriors committed to travelling to Australia.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed yesterday borders would be open for the state’s three NRL teams to play in NSW.

It means North Queensland, Brisbane and the Gold Coast will not need to enter isolation camps in Sydney and can remain at home with their families.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys spoke with senior Warriors yesterday morning, amid fears of a leaguewide player revolt as they unified in a quest to address concerns about relocating.

The meeting cleared up several questions nagging the Warriors and the squad is preparing to cross the Tasman and set up a base in Tamworth.

As of last night, Australian Border Force authorities had yet to give the green light for the

Warriors to arrive, while the NSW state government had not confirmed they can train while quarantined in Tamworth.

But league officials still remain confident those exemptions will be secured in time for the Warriors to be in the country by next week.

‘‘The Warriors will be on the plane,’’ V’landys said.

‘‘I clarified all those matters. I’ll have it in writing to them once I get all the border security and state government approvals.’’

Warriors players will receive the same pay as the rest of the NRL. All players are to receive 80% of their original annual salary.

Talks with broadcasters remain ongoing to determine exactly how much money will flow into the game this season.

Families of Warriors players will remain in New Zealand for now, although the league hopes border restrictions will eventually ease.

The NRL’s other interstate club, Melbourne, is preparing to return to training in Albury as practice sessions are still banned in Victoria. — AAP