NRLW player representatives have taken aim at the NRL for a lack of communication over the postponement of the season which has left New Zealand-based players stranded in Australia indefinitely.
Eight players signed to NRLW clubs across the competition arrived in Australia in early July but are now in limbo after the border closed between the two countries suddenly due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
NRLW was originally scheduled to start in August, was then shifted to October but will now be played at the start of 2022.
In a meeting of the RLPA women’s players advisory group (WPAG) on Monday night, complaints ranged from a lack of communication to a lack of support from the NRL over the decision to delay the competition.
WPAG has called on the NRL to make the repatriation of New Zealand players Karli Hansen, Ngatokotoru Arakua, Annetta Nu’uausala, Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly, Charlotte Scanlan, Katelyn Vaha’akolo, Maitua Feterika, Kararaina Wira-Kohu its main priority.
“We are committed to advancing the interests of the entire playing group and Women’s Rugby League and we know it’s more important than ever to support each other and offer our voice when we can, and this is one of those moments,” a statement from the WPAG read.
“The New Zealand-based players made a significant personal commitment to relocate to Australia to play in the NRLW, and they are now stranded, unable to return home.
“Frustratingly, the communication, level of support and understanding of the effects the delayed competition announcement would have on the repatriation of these players by NRL leadership, has not met our collective expectations.”
The players stranded in Australia have taken time off work to prepare for the NRLW season and the part-time athletes now face uncertainty over when they can return home to their families.
For its part the NRL is working closely with players and government authorities to get them home as quickly as possible, but the closing of the trans-Tasman bubble and a shortage of quarantine places in New Zealand makes it a desperate situation.
However, it’s a strong statement from NRLW players who last year were also unimpressed with the RLPA’s handling of their concerns when the season was in doubt.
“No one can dispute the significance of the COVID-19 situation and players are acutely aware of the effects it has had in their communities and for the game, however for everyone to find out 12 days before the official NRLW pre-season was due to commence that training was delayed, and then seven days later that the competition was postponed to 2022 was a bitter pill to swallow,” said RLPA’s general manager of women’s rugby league, Lina Caccamo.
“As the players alluded to, there is a significant amount of work to be done in the coming weeks, but getting the New Zealand-based players home needs to be the number one priority.”
Nat
Roar Guru
I think you've reinterated my point. I'm all for getting them home ASAP as I am the Warriors. My point is why come out on the day of the announcement and blast the NRL when it's not their fault that the NZ quatantine system is over loaded. They are carrying on like the girls been stuck for months and they've been forgotten about. As of Sunday arvo the Warriors will be finished with the season and it will be much easier and more cost efficient to send them all home at once. "Contrary to what you believe, not all Kiwis want to move to Australia" Nope, never said it so don't put words in my mouth to argue against it.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Then don’t run it for 2 months. Split the teams into two pools, with the top team from each pool playing the grand final, or make it a straight knock-out cup. I get the need to train beforehand, but still. The NRL have moved heaven and earth to maintain their competition over the last two seasons, including lobbying several governments, but anything for the good of the game is thrown into the too hard basket.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Because nothing is likely to happen for them until end of November or early December at the earliest, Nat, given the backlog of people wanting to return to NZ and in need of MIQ. Contrary to what you believe, not all Kiwis want to move to Australia; these girls came for their love for the game and were willing, and chosen, to play for an Australian side given that the Warriors women side was axed. What they should have done is head home ASAP when the cases started to rise in NSW. Not sure if they were contractually released to do that or kept onboard by their club until the official announcement, which you noted came today. This is a bad look for the NRL in a country in which they are starting to lose their foothold thanks to a microscopic "bug".
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Hopefully it can be sorted out soon. Most sports will be feeling some pain over the next few months.
Scott Pryde
Expert
It's not - the men's players are fulltime athletes. The women's players can not reasonably be expected to forgo their work as semi-professional athletes to live in a bubble for 2 months.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Didn't need to be Nostradamus to see this coming.
Nat
Roar Guru
This is a gee up. Offocial announcement of the postponement was today and this WPAG are up the NRL to get them home. "just 12 days away from the official start of preseason..", that's 12 days before they started training. The article states that the problem lies in NZ and "For its part the NRL is working closely with players and government authorities to get them home as quickly as possible, but the closing of the trans-Tasman bubble and a shortage of quarantine places in New Zealand makes it a desperate situation". How about wait another week in your comfy hotel suite with the lifestyle of a 25* sunny day in non-lockdown Qld while the Warriors finish their season and organise something for the whole group. There's a few million people locked down, out of work and can't see their family either who don't feel sorry for them.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Yet the men's competition is continuing. Pathetic.