The rugby league Players’ Association will push for a new range of COVID-19 protocols and recommendations during a meeting with NRL bosses.
RLPA chief executive Clint Newton and various members will put forward their case for easing the player restrictions to ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys and NRL boss Andrew Abdo on Wednesday night.
Current NRL protocols prevent vaccinated players from attending indoor nightclubs, bars, pubs, entertainment venues such as cinemas and bowling alleys and other public indoor social gatherings.
Unvaccinated personnel are essentially house-bound except for essential travel and training reasons.
“We understand how decision making works at NRL HQ, so we’re hoping this meeting with the Commissioner is the final stage,” Newton said.
“Peter has shown a willingness to be accessible and is open about taking a common sense approach, which we agree with and want to be maintained.
“We respect the process we have been working through with the NRL and ARLC.
“But there are some pressing matters on tonight’s agenda that are important to players and they want resolutions and commitments on, including the protocols and men’s and women’s Wellbeing and Education budgets and programs.”
As it stands, vaccinated players – on Apollo A registers – are permitted to dine outdoors at restaurants, cafes, bowling clubs and pubs provided they’re in a maximum group of ten and table service is offered.
The NRL has recommended, but not mandated, Apollo A personnel only visit another home if ten or fewer people are attending in a preferred outdoor setting after they have all provided a negative rapid antigen test.
Apollo A personnel are also advised against having more than ten visitors at their residence per day.
Newton recently said the NRL’s unvaccinated player count was down to “single figures”.
Those on the Apollo B register are under far stricter protocols.
The NRL require unvaccinated players to complete two RATs on days they enter their club training facility and have mandated KN95 mask usage whenever away from their residence, including at training, except when exercising, eating and drinking or for essential communication.
At training, clubs must maintain separation between their Apollo registers where they can.
The NRL has strongly recommended sessions that limit the time vaccinated and unvaccinated players are in physical contact or a close indoor space, including by holding separate gym, wrestling and video sessions.
Where practicable, Apollo B personnel are to use the bathroom and shower facilities at a separate time from the Apollo A register – after cleaning – or have their own facilities.
After a gruelling couple of seasons involving lockdowns and bubbles, several players have publicly expressed their frustration at again having to follow restrictive protocols.
Even with the rules in place, more than 80 per cent of players at Sydney clubs have reportedly contracted COVID-19, including the entire Sydney Roosters squad.
The NRL is determined to ensure disruptions are limited in the upcoming season to meet broadcasting commitments.
© AAP
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Penrith have emerged as a surprise destination for David Fifita with the Maroons forward just days away from a deadline in his lucrative Titans…
To paraphrase Bill Woodfull, there were two teams out there at Shark Park on Sunday but only one of them was playing wet-weather footy.…
It's been an epidemic of trips this season. Tyrell Sloan was placed on report for this one on Sione Katoa. Is it finally time…
The Warriors sunk to their third straight loss on Sunday against the Knights after having two tries controversially disallowed in the wet at Newcastle.…
Ronaldo Mulitalo briefly gave up his label as chief troll. It lasted about five minutes as the Sharks winger gave Mikaele Ravalawa a gobful…
It was a pretty miserable half for Nicho Hynes and the Sharks. The Dragons led Cronulla 10-6 at the break.
