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Luke Thompson future latest following ultimatum on COVID-19 vaccination saga

Luke Thompson’s future in the NRL looks secure after bowing down to pressure get vaccinated, after teammate John Asiata was handed a termination letter following his refusal to do so.

That club, along with the Penrith Panthers and Cronulla Sharks, have effectively told their stars to get the jab or move on.

Thompson’s fellow Bulldog – and the club’s new signing – Asiata had already told Canterbury officials that he will not be a Bulldogs player in 2022 following his refusal to get inoculated, but now he has been formally given his marching orders.

Bulldogs chief executive officer Aaron Warburton said last week that no unvaccinated players will play for the club.

“We won’t have someone in our squad that can’t fulfil their contractual obligations,” Warburton said.

“And if they can’t fulfil that, then they won’t be there next year.”

Former St Helens forward Thompson had also been one of the vaccination’s main critics, but has now had his jab according to the Daily Telegraph.

Players scheduled to return who are not vaccinated will be refused entry by some Sydney clubs under New South Wales county health orders, which means that those players will be given home training regimes.

Also under NSW health orders, if you are not fully-vaccinated you cannot visit a stadium, gym, or public swimming pool.

And, the Bulldogs hierarchy had issued a notice that player needed to be double-vaccinated in time for the club’s return to pre-season training on November 1.

But, despite Thompson setting up a home gym to buy as much time as possible, he has now caved in, saving his role at Canterbury.

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