Titans deal with drama of antivaxxers

BRISBANE: Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook says the Titans are prepared to play without Bryce Cartwright and Brian Kelly after they were stood down for refusing to receive a flu shot.

Holbrook is keeping his fingers crossed the Queensland Government will accept the NRL’s biosecurity guidelines that allow players to sign a waiver to refuse the vaccination.

It would clear Cartwright and Kelly to return to training after they were stood down following the intervention of state authorities under a ‘‘no jab, no play’’ policy.

The Queensland Government was expected to make an announcement as early as yesterday but talks with the NRL are ongoing.

Holbrook said the Titans could not afford to be distracted by the controversy and would ‘‘crack on’’ as they counted down to the May 28 NRL restart.

‘‘It would be great if this situation can be resolved quickly.

‘‘If not, we have to prepare to play a game in three weeks and we have enough players to fill those spots.

‘‘It’s not ideal but we have to crack on without them and get on with it.’’

Holbrook said he was among the majority who would get the shot but admitted the choice was not that simple for Cartwright and Kelly.

‘‘I am one of the 98% . . . of the community who would say just get the shot and come back to work,’’ he said.

‘‘For those uncomfortable getting the shot there is a bit more to it.’’

Up to 20 players in the NRL have refused to be vaccinated for varying reasons.

A biosecurity document sent to players and governments last week by the NRL said all players must receive the vaccine, unless they sign a waiver to continue playing, but the Queensland Government stood firm.

New South Wales chief health officer Kerry Chant reaffirmed yesterday her state would not adopt Queensland’s stance.

‘‘It is really a matter for the NRL as a workplace employer to consider their occupational health and safety obligations,’’ Chant said.

But the NSW government has pushed for as many people as possible in the state to have the vaccination.

NRL players’ union board member and Cronulla captain Wade Graham has been vocal, putting pressure on his colleagues to accept the jab.

Brisbane veteran Darius Boyd said yesterday players would have to abide by the protocols or accept the fact that they could not play. — AAP