NRL is one step closer to resuming as the New Zealand Warriors are given permission by Border Force to enter Australia despite COVID-19 travel bans
- The NZ Warriors announced they would be flying to Australia on Saturday
- On Sunday, the NRL team will fly to to the NSW country town of Tamworth
- Once in Tamworth, the team will train during their 14 days of self-isolation
- They will relocate to the Central Coast, where they plan to train and play games
- Warriors boss Cameron George wants players’ families to be able to join them
- The Warriors and other teams are preparing for the NRL to resume on May 28
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
The New Zealand Warriors will fly to Australia on Sunday despite COVID-19 travel bans as the NRL gears up resume in four weeks.
Now rebranded as the Vodafone Warriors, the team was given the all-clear to enter the country by the Australian Border Force on Saturday.
Shortly after, the team’s official Instagram account posted a picture of its players, announcing they were going to ‘cross the ditch’.
‘We’ve been given the all-clear to fly to Australia tomorrow to prepare for the revamped 2020 NRL season,’ the post was captioned.
The New Zealand Warriors (pictured), now rebranded as the Vodafone Warriors, announced on Saturday that they had been given ‘the all clear’ to ‘cross the ditch’ and begin training in Tamworth during their mandatory 14 days of self isolation
The NZ-based franchise will fly to the NSW country town of Tamworth, where the local airport has been given permission to accept the one-off international flight.
Once in Tamworth, the team will begin training during the mandatory 14 days of self-isolation required for any international arrivals.
Warriors boss Cameron George said it their entry to the country initially ‘looked a bit a bit shaky’ but after the ABF approval, the team’s spirits have been lifted.
‘They’re (the players are) very excited and finally got some direction, some certainty which is crucial to these guys and their families,’ he said.
‘We can’t underestimate how challenging it’s been. I think everyone’s just climbing the walls; they’ll love seeing a green oval that they can train together on with their mates.’
George also hoped the player’s families could also join them in Australia as both countries relax lockdown laws.
NZ Warriors players during round one against the Newcastle Knights before the season was suspended after round two. When the NRL resumes on May 28, the Warriors plan to both train and host games at their new Central Coast for remainder of the remodelled season
Tamworth is just a temporary training base during the team’s self-isolation period as they will relocate to the Central Coast, according to George.
When the NRL resumes on May 28, the Warriors plan to both train and host games at their new Central Coast for remainder of the remodelled season.
‘Whether they (the NRL) have two or three central grounds (where everyone plays) I’m not quite sure,’ he said.
‘However if we’re based on the Central Coast, obviously there’s a stadium there (in Gosford) and we’re close to Newcastle, and also close to Sydney.
‘Ideal scenario could be Central Coast but… that could differ from the NRL’s view.’
The Warriors will have a biosecurity briefing on Monday to ensure they adhere to they adhere quarantine rules before they start training.
A Canberra Raiders fan cheers on his team. NRL fans have been yearning for more games since the season was suspended indefinitely on March 23
‘This is an excellent outcome for rugby league and another step towards the competition resuming on May 28,’ NRL Commission Chairman Peter V’landys said.
‘As a game, we cannot thank the Warriors enough for everything they are doing.
‘Right from the start of this pandemic, the club and its players have put the competition first and for that, we will be forever thankful.’
The approval follows Friday’s crucial move from Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, confirming borders would be open for the state’s three NRL teams to play in NSW.
NRL’s 2020 season was suspended indefinitely on March 23, making it one of the last sport leagues in that continued to play games amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Panthers fan wearing a face mask cheering on her team on March 14. The NRL was one of the last sport leagues in the world that continued to play games amid the COVID-19 pandemic