Interstate NRL players who have refused a flu shot for ethical or religious reasons will not be allowed to play in Queensland.
In a setback for the NRL ahead of their May 28 restart, Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said on Tuesday players would only receive vaccination exemptions on medical grounds.
The Queensland government’s “no jab, no play” stance is bad news for Gold Coast duo Bryce Cartwright and Brian Kelly who have been stood down after rejecting the jab.
And it is a blow for the NRL’s anti-vaccination players including Manly duo Dylan Walker and Addin Fonua-Blake, Canterbury rake Sione Katoa plus Canberra trio Josh Papalii, Sia Soliola and Joseph Tapine.
It is believed a total of about 20 players have signed a waiver to avoid a flu jab for various reasons.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys had been confident the Queensland government would accept their biosecurity guidelines that would allow NRL players to sign a waiver to refuse the vaccination.
It would have cleared Cartwright and Kelly to return to training after they were sidelined following the Queensland government’s intervention.
But Young said she had told the NRL they would only provide exemptions for players who have had adverse reactions to vaccinations.
“I sent a letter to the NRL yesterday in which I did exempt them for medical contrary indications,” she said.
“If they have got medical reasons for not being vaccinated (they will receive an exemption).
“If they have had an anaphylactic reaction to previous flu vaccine or any component of a flu vaccine, you do not need to be vaccinated so I have provided that exemption.”
Asked if players could receive an exemption on any other grounds, Young said: “That’s not covered.
“Although the NRL did not put that in their initial submission to me I thought it was reasonable that the NRL players, support staff, coaches and officials have that same exemption that I provide for visitors going into aged-care facilities or for children.”
Cartwright and Kelly are the only NRL players to have been stood down after the NSW government refused to adopt Queensland’s “no jab, no play” stance.
However, a number of interstate NRL players won’t be allowed to play when their teams visit Queensland after the competition restart due to the state government’s policy.
The NRL said they accepted the Queensland government’s call.
“We respect the decision of the Queensland Chief Health Officer and are working with clubs to mitigate the impact on the season when it resumes on May 28,” a spokesman said.
“We have always said we will comply with the directions of relevant government and health authorities.
“It will mean a small number of players will be ineligible to play in Queensland while the current restrictions remain in place.”
Danny Levi said it would be a blow if Manly teammates Walker and Fonua-Blake were not allowed to play in Queensland.
“Obviously it would be pretty disappointing,” he said.
“But at the same time the game is trying to make sure everyone is healthy, and as long as I am keeping myself fit and healthy that’s all I can worry about.”
mama
Guest
So is Cartwright against vaxxing or its because he had a bad reaction which has never been mentioned before. Was it a former club doctor who gave the letter?? His anti-vaxxing stance now looks as weak as water - he will overturn his views just to gain an advantage.
Big Daddy
Guest
What else would you expected from Qld politicians. They can't even agree to get daylight saving with other states.
The Barry
Roar Guru
3% I’m vaccinated is still 3% too many as far as I’m concerned... although that’s come down now anyway My point though was there’s not a “decent overlap” of NRL players and anti vaxxers
AJ73
Roar Rookie
Jehovah's Witnesses are supposed to have anything foreign enter their body if I remember correctly, though this may have changed
AJ73
Roar Rookie
Ah but that 3% is considered a huge difference when considering other aspects. Though I agree with you Barry. The problem is stats never lie but tell only the truth you want people to hear.
mama
Guest
Hardly a big setback in the scheme of things in this troubled year. Meanwhile the NRL draw still not out and its 15 days to kick off. With the AFL now delayed they cant wait for the AFL draw (like they normally do but not always) to hence cherrypick competing games so they will have to bite the bullet. Cant wait for the NRL broadcast rights to be announced. Roy Masters will be conflicted as he usually talks up the NRL deal compared to the AFL but now as a Nine employee he will have to talk down the amount Nine will pay but perhaps bag Fox for paying too much.
crowdy
Roar Rookie
Tattoos are a common form of self-expression, but they also damage the skin and can cause complications. ... blood-borne diseases, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and tetanus; these can be contracted by using contaminated tattoo needles that haven't been sanitized. Shame about the tattoos you have boys. You took the risk getting them. How about thinking of the risks to your fellow players, officials etc. during this crisis so just get the flu shots and stop being ridiculous.
Dayer
Roar Rookie
can someone tell me which religion do these players belong too that tells them not to take the "jab" And why so many "religious" players have taken the "jab". I assume most of these players belong to the same religion as the ones who are against the "jab" can someone please enlightenment me on this ...... cheers
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Good old Mrs Cartwright is only going to work it out when it's too late. It will be the last time in her life that him or her will have someone attempting to pay them anything like 600 grand but I doubt if she understands that.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Dumb and anti-vaxxer, yes. Dumb and rugby league player, maybe. Rugby league player and anti-vaxxer, not really. 97% of league players have had the flu vaccination. I wouldn’t call that a decent overlap
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’d bet they have for occupations that involve daily close physical contact with multiple people and regularly have to cross state lines to do the same with people from other states...
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
Do you think the QLD government have installed this rule for 100% of workers in the state? If not the premier is 100% hypocrite. Not unusual for a politician in this day and age.
Andrew
Guest
Yeah, The Titans don't seem to be lobbying particularly hard do they...
max power
Guest
how is this a blow for the NRL? will anybody miss Cartwright and Kelly besides their opposition
Ian_
Roar Rookie
Hardly surprising there's a decent overlap between "dumb", "anti-vaxxer" and "NRL player" ... these guys fall right in the centre of the Venn diagram.
Ron
Guest
I don’t think anyone is blaming the Qld govt. Good in them for making a public statement on the importance of vaccinations. The NRL is asking permission for exemptions and these come with conditions. What they are doing by writing to the govt again in behalf of the players is covering their arse from legal kickback from the players when they stand them down for the remainder of the season due to their ‘free choices’. The NRL are actually playing this part of it cleverly. Now it comes down to how strong the players convictions are when they realise that there choices have consequences. So many people have spent countless hours and out in so much to get the competition up and running. If these few guys don’t want to get a medically proven jab that is fine. The consequence of that is no money from playing rugby league......
Succhi
Roar Rookie
This is not the QLD Gov issue or fault. They agreed in theory to the NRL’s proposal based on the conditions and compliance requirements. Now the NRL wants some changes to the agreement- for a QLD team nonetheless., probably expecting some leniency. Good on the QLD Gov for sticking to their decision - rare but good on them.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Project Apollo's planned starting date for 2020 NRL part two........... May 28th Today's date................. May 12th Number of punters giving V.L advice .......... diminishing rapidly. Score out of ten for the advice so far....................... zero.
Placepunter
Roar Rookie
Please forgive my punctuation but I asked PV to check it for me and he said it'd be done for sure..............almost.
Placepunter
Roar Rookie
Larry, are you the one and only Larry David, because your post is hilarious but oh so true. Got to love it when a bully boy gets his comupence. Now lets see, all jurisdictions are in agreement........almost All broadcasters in agreement..........almost All clubs agree with rules and game structures......almost Money's in the bank........almost Competition draw ready........almost Referees ready..........no Referee ready.........almost Well ok then.........we're almost ready Nothing has changed with the NRL, it's just a normal day..........SNAFU