Warriors star Blake Green is hopeful their current lockdown will soon be relaxed, but he’s unsure whether they’ll be locked out entirely of this year’s NRL season.
As the NRL forges ahead with plans to resume the competition as early as late May, the status of the New Zealand-based club remains unclear.
The Warriors are currently two weeks into a month-long lockdown, however travelling restrictions either side of the Tasman could prove a massive hurdle.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg fueled fears the Warriors could be excluded when he said the competition could proceed without them.
That was news to Green on Monday.
“We haven’t had any dialogue with our footy club about that even being a possibility,” Green told Fox League Live on Monday.
Green believes the New Zealand government, led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, has “got a hold on things” regarding the coronavirus.
“We’re on a four-week lockdown, so there’s two weeks to go, but there’s every chance that could be it,” he said.
“Obviously it’s not going to go back to complete normal, but I’m hoping it’s relaxed a little bit more and we’ll be able to get over and get amongst it straight away.”
Greenberg said every effort will be made to include the Kiwi club in a full 16-team competition whenever and wherever it resumes this year, if at all.
A 15-team competition would be a kick in the guts for the Warriors after they were locked in Kingscliff for 10 days last month in a bid to keep the season afloat.
The Warriors are still undergoing 14-day stints of self-isolation after their return to New Zealand, while the lockdown measures are due to finish on April 23.
Chief executive Cameron George wouldn’t be drawn on Greenberg’s comments on Monday, issuing a short statement to AAP.
“Nothing to add at this stage! Just awaiting more information from the NRL,” the statement read.
Greenberg said the NRL will seek an exemption from both Australian and New Zealand governments which would allow the Warriors to fly.
Their possible exclusion would reduce the number of games to seven.
An NRL innovations committee has been tasked with assessing solutions for the competition’s resumption, which could include teams isolating in “bubbles”.
That could mean players being away from families for an extended period.
Green is hopeful families could be included in the “bubble”, having flown his wife and children over during their initial stay in Kingscliff.
“I’d like to take them with me, particularly if we’re looking at a four-month stint for the competition. That’s a long time,” he said.
“But if that situation’s not possible, it’s not possible.
“We can’t do a whole heap about it.”
Sylvester
Guest
I think if there was year by year analysis of the numbers of Kiwi players in the comp, it starts climbing exponentially after 1995. The Warriors have compelled interest in RL in NZ when grassroots may well have petered out as professional rugby union, which started around the same time, snapped up the best young talent. So, it's possible there's no Benji or SBW without them.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
I think its poor form if the NRL exclude them if the comp kicks off. They were the first team willing to stay for the whole time and willing to make family sacrifice (apart from 2 players) which the NRL is calling all the clubs to make if the season goes ahead.
adam smith
Guest
I don't really think the NRL will abandon the Warriors after all this time. On the other hand, I don't think the Warriors have really contributed much to the NRL in their history (2 grand finals & a whole lot of head scratching at the constant poor performance). Some may say they are a beacon for junior League players in Nz to aspire too. I would counter that by saying, the vast majority of League players that have represented Nz with distinction, have been moulded or nurtured by other NRL clubs (SBW @ the Dogs, Benji @ the Tigers) anyway. Junior league players in Nz will still have all NRL teams' scouts looking for them, & the raids on Nz junior Union will still continue with or without the Warriors.
Sylvester
Guest
Ready the lawyers
Jacko
Guest
We need you.....We need you...We need you....We dont need youuuuuuuuu
Paul
Roar Guru
So the team that gave up the most to try and keep the competition going by staying in Australia, might be missing out, assuming there's a 2020 season? That would also place serious question marks on them being a part of the 2021 season, I'd have thought. I really hope Greenberg and the Australian & New Zealand governments can sort something out, if it comes to that.