Nearly half of an entire NRL squad tests positive for COVID-19

It’s not exactly been the best return to pre-season for a number of NRL sides.

The amount of players said to have tested positive for COVID-19 over the Christmas holiday period continues to increase – with numbers said to have hit triple figures this week after clubs returned for pre-season.

One club that has experienced a great deal of unrest is the Brisbane Broncos, who this morning posted that a whopping 16 of their 38 first-team squad has tested positive the virus, though all of the playing staff has been double vaccinated, according to Fox Sports.

The Broncos are not alone when it comes to an outbreak, though, as ten of the North Queensland Cowboys side and nine of the Gold Coast Titans squad are also isolating following positive COVID-19 tests.

“Our main concern is the health, safety and wellbeing of our players and staff, and we are fully focused on ensuring they are looked after while isolating,” Brisbane chief Dave Donaghy said.

“The COVID testing measures are in place to protect our people and our program and these results show that the system is working.

“These cases have been picked up early, allowing us to deal with them promptly and effectively, and then move forward with our pre-season.

“We’ve taken a proactive approach to managing this challenge, which will have many turns over the coming season. Our goal as a club is to tackle each challenge as they arise.

“As the spread of COVID grows across the community, we will continue to work closely with our players, staff, the NRL and the Queensland Government.”

The situation doesn’t seem to improving Down Under, with the likes of Penrith Panthers also incurring outbreaks of the virus following the rampant nature of the Omicron variant, and, fans probably haven’t seen the last of such frustrating news.