RLPA confident players will 'buy in' to self-isolation program

Self-isolating hundreds of NRL players away from their social lives in a bid to avoid coronavirus may seem a daunting task in the scheme of things but the RLPA is confident its members will be up for the challenge.

The final details of the program will be worked through with clubs in conjunction with the RLPA before players are briefed on exactly what the self-isolation program entails.

RLPA general manager Clint Newton was confident that players would "buy" into the regulations put in place.

"If you work through it and listen to some of their concerns, if there are any, then hopefully you can deliver a program," Newton said.

"We haven't had to sell anything to the players yet. And it's not necessarily a sale, it's about giving them an understanding about what this process looked like and what are the restrictions put on them.

"As we've said, by bringing the players along you've got the best chance of them buying into whatever process we have to work through."

At the announcement of the new measures alongside ARL chairman Peter V’landys and NRL CEO Todd Greenberg on Thursday, Newton highlighted how cultural diversity was just one challenge that presents itself ahead of the introduction of the new program. 

"Given the fact we have a multicultural game, we understand the nuances that exists in our Pacifika, Indigenous people as well as other members of the playing group that have cultural differences," Newton said.

"That's why being part of the process is critical because you have to factor in all those parts of when developing these types of things.

"It's not as simple as a one-size-fits-all approach which is why it is so critical. [But], what other way of looking at it though than with optimism because ultimately you've got to look at it and bring the players along in the journey and hope they get it done."

According to a report, 48% of players in 2018 were of a Pacific Islander heritage, up 3% from 2014.