Warriors get border exemption
The NRL has overcome another major hurdle, with the New Zealand Warriors granted an exemption from the federal government to enter Australia to compete in the competition set to resume on May 28.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys was given the tick of approval by Australian border security authorities yesterday afternoon after applying for permission for the Warriors to travel from Auckland as early as this Sunday.
‘‘We appreciate the federal government in giving us an exemption to allow the Warriors to come into the country,’’ V’landys told the Sydney Morning Herald. ‘‘We are now working with the NSW state government to get approval that will allow them to train while in isolation.’’
The border security exemption represents a major obstacle cleared by the league in its bid to return on May 28. The next step is convincing the NSW government to allow the Warriors to potentially base themselves in Tamworth.
If denied, the Warriors will have to be quarantined at a hotel for 14 days, which would likely delay the start of the competition by two weeks given the pledge from all coaches to begin training as soon as their New Zealand rivals were able to.
‘‘There was a precedent set when the Warriors were here last time,’’ V’landys said.
‘‘They had five players come over to replace the players that went back to New Zealand on compassionate grounds, and they were allowed to stay in a facility and train similarly with what we wish to do now.
‘‘There will be a facility in which there is absolutely zero risk to the community. They will be the only people on the property for 14 days and any staff will be remaining with them for that period. There’s nobody in the vicinity of where they want to stay.’’
The Warriors had been growing frustrated with the delay, with word getting back to the NRL that players were considering not travelling to Australia on Sunday unless they had an answer by Wednesday or Thursday.
V’landys has assured the Warriors the wait is almost over.
Th Warriors had been looking at Lennox Head on the far north coast of NSW for their isolation, but the governing body is now looking at Tamworth.
V’landys was reluctant to discuss the reason for the change in base.
‘‘We’re looking at Tamworth at the moment,’’ he said.
The development comes as delicate discussions continue with broadcasters over the restructuring of the competition and how much revenue will be generated.
It is widely speculated the NRL, The Nine Network and Fox Sports are looking at playing between 17-20 rounds, including the two already completed.
V’landys insists the Warriors, and the rest of the league, will be informed of their new renumeration before the team leaves Auckland on Sunday, AAP reported.
Warriors chief executive Cameron George has said pay issues have to be sorted out before the Warriors will go to Australia.
WARRIORS ‘ALREADY AT A DISADVANTAGE’