AUSSIES REFUSING TO SHUT UP SHOP
Boss reveals his lockdown life in France
CATALANS coach Steve Mcnamara has detailed life in lockdown France as he attempts to keep his squad active.
The former England boss lives alone in an apartment in Canet, with his family back in England. There is strictly limited movement and a complete curfew between 8pm and 6am.
Any trips outside must be accompanied with paperwork and a reason, with French authorities stringently enforcing the containment measures around the country.
Mcnamara said: “I’ve been stopped four times by police, and if you don’t produce that piece of paper and they agree with where you’re going, then it’s a €35 (£32) fine the first time and then €135 (£125).
“It’s very strict but everybody is trying to abide by it.
“It was really bizarre the last hour before the lockdown kicked in at midday on Tuesday.
“It was sad in a way. I drove past a pharmacy and all the older people were queuing up outside for their regular medicine.
“It felt like the last half hour of everyone’s lives. It was a very surreal and unique feeling.
“Everybody was wandering around at 12 o’clock and then everybody disappeared.
“It’s something we’ve never experienced before, but at the same time it allows you to really reflect on what you’ve got.
“We’ve all had a number of years where we’ve been fortunate in so many areas.
“People before us have gone through the wars and everything that went with that. Hopefully this brings the best out of people and when it’s over we’ll all be more grateful for things.”
Mcnamara’s squad have been carrying out “prison style” training routines at home and competing in Whatsapp challenges between themselves, with no certainty over when they will next play.
The one positive for Mcnamara is the
■ time he can focus on French lessons, and he was able to address Catalans fans in the language in a Twitter update this week.
He added: “If there was a school report on me they’d say, ‘Good effort, tries his hardest but a long way to go.’ What this has done is give you a chance to focus solely on something like this.
“When the season gets up and running, you’re on that rugby league treadmill and it’s hard to concentrate on other things.
“If there’s a little bit of a good thing to come out of this for me, it’s that hopefully I can really get stuck into it and come out with some better French.”
■
AUSTRALIA’S NRL yesterday again pledged to keep playing on behind closed doors as long as government guidelines allow.
Aussie Rules’ AFL became the latest competition to go into lockdown when they suspended their league until at least the end of May.
But the NRL completed another full round of fixtures on the same day and want to continue playing as long as they can, in an attempt to protect their bumper television deal.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said: “We have, and always will, stringently follow all government health advice and medical protocols to protect the health and safety of the community and our players.
“At this stage, our
■ intent is to play on and we remain committed to the continuation of the 2020 season as far as government advice allows it.
“Our number one priority is to protect our players, staff and fans and we will continue to do this by adopting the strictest possible medical protocols.
“However, we understand the pace of the crisis is escalating rapidly and we need to remain flexible and conscious of community expectations.”
A host of English players featured in the weekend’s behind-closed-doors action Down Under, including Tom Burgess, Elliott Whitehead and Kallum Watkins.