Hasler hopes flu ban won't be issue when Sea Eagles fly north

Manly coach Des Hasler believes Queensland's stance on requiring NRL players to take the flu vaccination before entering the state will change by the time his side arrives for their round-11 clash with the Cowboys.

Two of Hasler's players, Tongan forward Addin Fonua-Blake and five-eighth Dylan Walker, recently rejected the flu jab but under current Queensland guidelines, they would be unable to train or play in the state unless they could secure an exemption.

However, the Sea Eagles have avoided the situation coming to a head for the time being.

From the restart of the competition next week until the end of the regular season, their only trip to the Sunshine State is on July 24, away to North Queensland.

Raiders trio Joseph Tapine, Josh Papalii and Iosia Soliola are also in a similar situation but the 2019 grand finalists won't travel to Queensland until August under the NRL's revised draw when they face the Cowboys in round 12 and the Titans three weeks later.

A Canberra spokesperson confirmed to NRL.com that the club would not address the issue in the coming weeks given their matches in Queensland were scheduled for at least a further two months.

Hasler gave a similar comment in his weekly press conference when speaking about the new-look draw on Thursday and said there was hope across the game that the issue would be resolved naturally as restrictions eased across Australia.

"It's still a tough game travelling to Townsville but I think it's temporary anyway because as we get into the season the status might change," Hasler said.

"They're all hard games, let's not go away from that fact, but I'm pretty pleased and happy with the draw."

While the small contingent of NRL players who have refused the flu shot in recent weeks have taken a strong stance, ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys said there would be no such exceptions if a vaccination for COVID-19 came along when asked in an interview with Ben Fordham on 2GB on Thursday.

"At this point no, because we've always prided ourselves that we look at the community first and our players' health," V'landys said.

"In this instance if it did become available, for the benefit of all players and the community, they would be required to take the vaccine."

Meanwhile, Hasler welcomed the Sea Eagles' temporary move to the Central Coast until at least round nine under the NRL's stadium biosecurity measures. 

"It's a good ground, I like playing there and players like playing there," Hasler said. 

"It works well situational wise with the Warriors, Newcastle and ourselves.

"It's only for the next six weeks and then once we get into the season I think it will change again."