The Warriors' involvement in upcoming Telstra Premiership matches and their round two clash with Canberra are under a cloud following new travel restrictions announced by the New Zealand government in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Saturday people arriving in the country would need to self-isolate for 14 days, with those arriving from the Pacific Islands the only exception. The restrictions are to take place from midnight Sunday (10pm Sunday AEDT).
The Raiders were set to travel to New Zealand to take on the Warriors next Saturday as part of an historic double-header at Eden Park before a Super Rugby match featuring the Auckland Blues and ACT Brumbies.
New Zealand's one-day international cricket series against Australia has been cancelled, with the New Zealand team to travel home and the final two matches of the series abandoned.
Warriors CEO Cameron George said the club would do all it could to continue playing in the NRL despite new travel restrictions that could force them to be based in Australia for the immediate future.
George and Kearney provide update on Warriors travel movements
George was in regular contact with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg and members of the ARL Commission during the team’s 20-0 loss to the Knights in Newcastle on Saturday.
ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys and Greenberg will address a media conference on Sunday at 10am at Rugby League Central to discuss the outcomes of Saturday night’s special ARL Commission meeting in relation to managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though clearly concerned about the impact on the players’ families, George indicated the Warriors were considering staying in Australia for at least the short term during the coronavirus crisis.
“Just before kick-off, we were advised by the New Zealand Government of the restrictions placed on anyone entering New Zealand after midnight tomorrow night, being Sunday night,” he said at the post-game media conference.
“Obviously that’s going to create some significant challenges for opposing teams to come to New Zealand.
“Throughout the course of the afternoon, we’ve had a number of discussions with the NRL and currently the Commission is meeting to discuss what options are available for our club going forward.
“We’re very conscious clearly of the families [of the] boys involved. Everyone has different circumstances that exist in New Zealand with their own family, and obviously the most important thing for the fans and the game is we try and keep the competition going.
“We want to do everything we can to ensure that is the case, because I know how important that is to the sporting landscape.”
Warriors coach Stephen Kearney broke the news to shocked players shortly after full-time. Of those, Kearney said Warriors centre Peta Hiku’s partner Lisa was due to give birth in the next two weeks.
Match Highlights: Knights v Warriors
“Cameron briefed the group after we spoke about the game … so they were a little bit vacant,” Kearney told reporters.
“Again, we don’t exactly know what’s going to happen, where we’re going, so I’m sure once the Commission finish their meeting and get hold of Cameron, we’ll be able to make some plans, but it’s a pretty tough situation for the group to handle.
“One thing we spoke about in the dressing-shed [after the game] was about making sure that whatever decisions get made, we need to make sure we crack on with what’s important for us.
“And at the moment, obviously [if] we have to stay here and prepare for round two against Canberra wherever that may be, then that’s what we’ve got to do.
“It’s another challenge … we’ll have to endure and work our way through. It’s unusual, and something that obviously hasn’t happened before, so I’m not quite sure how we navigate our way through it just yet, but I’m pretty sure we’ll find a way.”
George said he emailed players’ wives and partners during the game to keep them informed of ongoing developments and “to alert them of the fact there’s a real possibility there’s going to be some big decisions made”.
He praised NRL management for remaining open, accessible and supportive during a fast-moving series of events that were “changing dramatically all the time.
Bennett has his say on coronavirus situation
“It’s a challenge but we’ll bounce through it and the day we’ve had today, it’s just something else our group’s got to deal with and I’m sure, led by Stephen, we’ve got a great leadership group and what happens will happen,” George said.
“I’m just really focused on making sure we get the best outcome for our families and the boys.
“There’s even a couple of players there with very young children just born in recent weeks …
“I reiterated to the partners that this is not the club’s preferred position, obviously. It’s bigger than the game. But we do have a responsibility to work with the NRL and the game to play our part to keep things on track as best we can.
“It’s difficult for everyone and obviously being outside of Australia, we’ve had unique challenges to deal with in the past and it’s just another one to deal with now. It’s onwards and upwards to round two, wherever that will be, and wherever we will be between now and then.”
