Connect with us

NRL

NRL players leading revolt against tight restrictions as they meet with governing body

The Rugby League Players’ Association are set to meet with the NRL and NRLW in a bid to thrash out a settlement following the tight new restrictions.

Players have been unable to attend indoor venues like restaurants and pubs, but that didn’t stop severe outbreaks in a number of NRL sides with the likes of Gold Coast Titans having as many as 23 players forced to self-isolate.

That has since led a number of star players to announce their disapproval on social media with Canberra Raiders men Jordan Rapana and Jack Wighton speaking out

“I have never seen a vaccine that forced me to wear a mask and maintain my social distance, even when you are fully vaccinated. I had never heard of a vaccine that spreads the virus even after vaccination,” Rapana said on social media.

“I had never heard of rewards, discounts, incentives to get vaccinated. I never saw discrimination for those who didn’t…”

RLPA chief executive Clint Newton has since sat down with the governing body in a bid to explain players’ concerns.

Newton said one of the concerns raised was about living under tighter restrictions than those imposed on ordinary people.

“What the key problem and concerns for us was the restrictions to be placed on players was over and above what the state requirements are,” Newton told the Daily Telegraph.

“In past two years, we’ve operated over and above what community expectations were but that was when Covid was at a low transmission rate.

“We’re in a situation now where hundreds of thousands of people are infected with Covid, either with symptoms or are asymptomatic.

“Trying to stop Covid coming into rugby league, will be like me trying to stop an avalanche with a leaf blower.

“You’re not going to stop it so we’re going to have to work to live with it and the best way to do that, is to allow now more than ever, players to live under no restrictions other than state requirements.”

The argument is still yet to be settled, but its likely to rage on for a number of weeks.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Must See

More in NRL