South Sydney Rabbitohs forced to cancel pre-season camp after English international tests positive

The pandemic has caused teams all across the planet problems over the last two seasons.

We’ve seen games played behind closed doors, matches cancelled because of outbreaks within squads and seasons dragged to a complete stop by the virus.

Although things have gotten decidedly better in 2021 compared to 2020, sides are still facing problems especially in Australia.

It’s been well documented how the pressure to get players vaccinated has caused a number of controversies down under. John Asiata’s refusal to receive the jab culminated in Canterbury handing him his marching orders and led to a move to Leigh Centurions in the Championship.

Speaking of Canterbury, their hard stance on the vaccine caused questions over Luke Thompson’s future with the former St Helens forward eventually being shopped around despite receiving the vaccine as the club strives to get his wage off their salary cap according to reports down under.

Meanwhile, in Queensland clubs face extra pressure to get their squads vaccinated with stadium bans imposed for unvaccinated people, including players, in the state. This has led to speculation over Gold Coast Titans star Brian Kelly’s vaccine status.

However, sides in Sydney are also facing problems because of the virus with South Sydney forced to cancel their pre-season training camp early when one of their stars tested positive for Covid-19.

The camp was set to take place on star fullback Latrell Mitchell’s farm but has been cancelled now that England international Tom Burgess has returned a positive test.

According to zerotackle, the prop exhibited ‘flu-like symptoms’ after arriving at Redfern to catch the team bus to the training camp. Subsequently left behind, he returned a positive test on Saturday morning as stated by the Daily Telegraph.

Having left Burgess behind to head to the camp, the rest of the squad returned to Sydney upon Burgess’ positive test.

They are now waiting for their own results back having all been tested for the virus themselves after returning to Sydney.