Three Brisbane staff members including Allan Langer will not travel with the team for Friday’s NRL match against South Sydney due to a potential COVID breach.
Brisbane assistant coach Allan Langer is one of three staff members from the NRL club who will not travel for Friday’s match against South Sydney after a potential breach of COVID-19 protocols.
Langer as well as strength and conditioning coach Ryan Whitley and head of rehab Blake Duncan will all have to undergo COVID-19 testing after attending a private function in Brisbane.
AAP understands the function was held last weekend in a private room at a Brisbane pub to celebrate Langer’s recent 54th birthday.
After being made aware of the fact, the Broncos told the NRL who advised the trio should undergo testing.
“As a precaution, those staff have been placed on “COVID Holds” and will undergo testing before returning to the Project Apollo bubble,” the Broncos said in a statement.
None of the trio will join the team on their flight to Sydney for the clash with the Rabbitohs.
It remains unclear if the NRL has determined the matter to be a breach of protocols or a misunderstanding as the Broncos had come out of a 14-day lockdown following their match with Wests Tigers in Sydney and were observing less strict Queensland-based protocols.
The development came a day after Souths’ coach Wayne Bennett was sent into a 14-day isolation period after admitting he’d dined at a Sydney restaurant on Wednesday with his partner.
Bennett will not coach Souths for the next two weeks, with assistant Jason Demetriou to take the reins against the Broncos.
St George Illawarra representative forward Paul Vaughan is also in isolation after having breakfast at a Wollongong cafe on Thursday.
The NSW State of Origin player missed Thursday’s 24-16 loss to the Sydney Roosters and will sit out next week’s clash with Parramatta.
“We talk about it consistently so there’s no reason for it except it’s selfish behaviour,” Dragons coach Paul McGregor said after the defeat to the NRL premiers.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
"Where have all the flowers gone"? Should be retitled "Where has all the common sense gone"? Although in the 60's the BS excuses: Didn't understand, Brain fade, Error of judgement weren't around.
Phil
Roar Rookie
"When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn," the chorus lines from a song from the sixties could apply to some RL people today.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Broncos might win without Langer running on the field every 10 min with the latest Eagle Farm odds.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Somebody else will have to step up. It's not easy to replace an "eighty minute player" at short notice.
Tony
Roar Guru
No Langer! Who's going to lead them around the field?