Warriors granted exemption
SYDNEY: The Warriors appear set to train in isolation for two weeks in Tamworth after being granted federal government exemption to enter Australia this week.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys confirmed yesterday the Australian Border Force has allowed the Warriors to fly into the country.
Now the league will meet with the New South Wales state government today to gain approval for the Warriors to selfquarantine in central NSW.
‘‘That’s the next step of the puzzle,’’ V’landys said.
‘‘The border security have given us exemption for them to come in, and we couldn’t go to the state government until we had that approval.
‘‘We’ve now gone to the state government to get the approval for them to train while they’re in quarantine because it’s no risk to the community.’’
The NRL is confident that exemption will be granted after five Warriors players were able to train in isolation in Kingscliff last month.
The Wellington Phoenix was also given special privileges to train in Sydney while in lockdown in midMarch before the ALeague was also suspended.
‘‘There’s a precedent when the Warriors were here the last time,’’ V’landys said.
‘‘They were able to train while in the facility for 14 days, the five players that came out to replace the players that went back. There’s no risk to the community.’’
It was believed the New Zealandbased club was looking at basing itself in Lennox Head on the far north coast of NSW in lockdown.
However, the governing body is now looking at Tamworth, which recorded its most recent new case of the coronavirus on Sunday, taking the total to 14.
V’landys was reluctant to discuss the reason for the change in base.
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 from 17 to 20 rounds, including the two already completed.
V’landys insists the Warriors, and the rest of the league, will be informed of their new remuneration before the team leaves Auckland on Sunday.
Teams have been told to begin preparations to regather for training on Monday. — AAP