Warriors arrive two players down

WELLINGTON: The Warriors have touched down in Australia minus two players after hooker Nathaniel Roache became the first footballer to fall foul of the NRL’s strict biosecurity protocols, while David Fusitu’a opted out of the trip for personal reasons.

Roache was bumped from the club’s chartered flight to Tamworth in northwest New South Wales after he reported feeling ill yesterday.

He and outside back Fusitu’a were conspicuous absentees when the New Zealand side arrived at its quarantine base at Tamworth last night.

The new NRL nomads will begin a stay of up to six months in Australia.

Fusitu’a requested a oneweek delay to his departure from New Zealand for personal reasons while Roache woke suffering from coldlike symptoms and could not be cleared to fly under the team’s Covid19 protocols.

Warriors chief executive Cameron George said Roache was ordered to stay home after contacting medical staff.

‘‘Nate called the club first thing this morning saying he wasn’t feeling well,’’ George said.

‘‘He was instructed to have a test immediately and was told not to report at the airport as he would not be travelling with the team.

‘‘We’re totally satisfied Nate has had no contact with any other player or staff member at the club for several weeks and we’re very comfortable we have abided by all policies and requirements.

‘‘David has stayed behind for a personal matter and will fly to Tamworth as soon as possible.’’

It is unclear how or when Roache and Fusitu’a will cross the Tasman, as yesterday’s charter flight was organised by the club in expectation of an Australian Border Force travel exemption, which it received on Saturday morning.

The Warriors are expecting to have their roster fully stretched during their stay, particularly once they relocate to a Central Coast base after undergoing two weeks of quarantine.

‘‘The squad we’re taking across is the intended squad that we play with for the duration of the season,’’ George said.

‘‘But if things change for personal reasons for individuals, on a casebycase basis we can make application to the NRL, particularly on compassionate grounds. — AAP