Players tickled as workouts resume

Australia will allow crowds of up to 10,000 at small stadiums to watch sport as part of plans to ease social distancing restrictions in July, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday. Morrison said Australia’s states were working toward rules which would let stadiums with capacities of up to 40,000 host up to 10,000 spectators. He said the changes could also apply for concerts and festivals. “There would need to be seats at the appropriate distance,” he told reporters after a national cabinet meeting. Australia’s two biggest professional winter sports, the National Rugby League (NRL) and Australian Football League (AFL), resumed their seasons with matches at closed stadiums but have been given the green light to allow small groups of fans to attend venues. Neighbouring New Zealand expects bumper crowds at stadiums this weekend to watch rugby.