‘Bubble’ strategy backed

IT has been strongly opposed by Cameron Smith, but South Sydney hooker Damien Cook has backed a plan for players to live in a “bubble” in a bid to resume the NRL competition.

The game’s innovation committee — dubbed Project Apollo — is set to discuss today relocating all 16 teams to a secure location, likely in western Sydney, in a bid to relaunch the season by May 28.

It is believed all players and club staff will be isolated for 14 days either at home or in a hotel room before resuming training for the season’s relaunch if there are no positive coronavirus tests.

Cook said he had already spoken to his partner about the prospect and was ready to make the sacrifice of spending months away from his young family if it meant the NRL season could recommence.

“I have had the discussion. If that is what needs to be done that’s what we need to do, that’s the sacrifice we need to make to get the game going again,” the NSW rake told Sky Sports Radio.

“Obviously it would be a struggle and it would be a struggle for a lot of the boys out there or anyone in the workforce to leave their families, it’s not easy.

“But if it has to be done to get back to work then that is what we will do.”

It was in stark contrast to the stance of Melbourne and former Test skipper Smith who was critical of the proposal.

“I understand these are extraordinary times. But where do we draw the line about what’s important and what’s not?” he said.

“If we’re locked down, or in isolation, that can’t be good either ... that can’t be great for people’s state of mind.”