Both the following articles are from Zero Tackle,
Nothing off the table for unvaccinated as NRL figures rise
The NRL have reportedly refused to rule out any course of action for players who refuse to vaccinate ahead of the 20221 NRL pre-season.
With the
New South Wales and Victorian state governments already bringing in a loosening of restrictions for Covid-19 vaccinated individuals before unvaccinated, the NRL are reportedly concerned about future steps.
Their largest concern is that of players being unable to travel interstate for matches.
While it's previously been reported the competition will refuse to bring in a full vaccine mandate for players, according to a
Daily Telegraph report,
they are closely monitoring the situation in other major leagues around the world.
Already in
Australia, two NBL players have been released by their clubs due to their refusal to be vaccinated, despite no league-wide policy calling for it.
While it's unclear if the NRL would ever resort to that option, or if clubs would act in such a manner, there is speculation in the report that contracts could be torn up for a refusal to vaccinate.
New South Wales have made it clear unvaccinated individuals will have reduced freedoms until December 1, while the Victorian government have stipulated all authorised workers - including NRL players - must be fully vaccinated by November 26 to continue working.
The report suggests three quarters of NRL players have now received at least one job, however, some clubs, particularly those who played in the finals, have fallen behind due to not wanting to be vaccinated before the end of their playing commitments.
Sydney clubs are leading the charge however, while the Storm have now jumped above 80 per cent of players having at least a first dose.
The
Brisbane Broncos however, are lagging badly behind at just 65 per cent, owing to
Queensland's lower number of COVID cases and, as a result, far less of a rush and public pressure to be vaccinated.
The Eels and Sharks are leading the way with just one player at each club not having received a first dose as yet.
Who plays who? Predicting Round 1 fixtures for 2022
The 2022 NRL season will hopefully be back to almost normal as
Australia reopens and vaccination rates for COVID-19 climb.
After mass relocation, fans being snubbed from Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra games due to lockdown, and the competition winding up in Brisbane, the fixtures for 2022 give the NRL a chance to welcome fans back in the three major centres for their first taste of live rugby league since the first half of 2021.
It's understood the full fixture list for 2022 will be released by the end of October, but Round 1 is always viewed with the utmost interest.
The NRL always attempt to kick the season off with a blockbuster, but with plenty of player movement and the heightened appetite of fans, there should be very little issue in putting on almost a full round of big games.
There seems to be little doubt that
Adam Reynolds will launch the season against his old club as the rebuilt
Brisbane Broncos take on grand finalists the
South Sydney Rabbitohs.
That has already been reported, and is likely the best-case scenario for the NRL to reboot the competition in 2022 as footy returns to Sydney and the Burrow get a proper chance to send off a hero.
Another blockbuster that feels like it has to be played in Round 1 will be putting the
Canterbury Bulldogs through their paces immediately against defending premiers the
Penrith Panthers.
The Panthers have lost up and coming star
Matt Burton to the Bulldogs, which will add an extra level of anticipation to this clash. The NRL may hold back though, given
Nathan Cleary currently seems unlikely to be fit for Round 1.
The round should also feature returns to Canberra and Melbourne, with the Raiders to host the Tigers in the early Friday game as both clubs look to turn around a dismal 2021, while the
Melbourne Storm host the
Cronulla Sharks in the late Saturday game, having lost
Dale Finucane and
Nicho Hynes to the men from the Shire.
On the back of the NRL's likely Redcliffe expansion announcement, the Warriors also must host Round 1, whether that be in Redcliffe or in Auckland. On the ten-year anniversary of their trip to a grand final against the Roosters, that provides the ultimate Round 1 matchup.
The
Manly Sea Eagles get to host the early Saturday game against the
Gold Coast Titans, who continue to build. Their youthful exuberance should put on a show against
Tom Trbojevic's side in a belter to kick-off Saturday's action.
That leaves the Dragons and Cowboys for the Sunday evening game, with
Queensland Origin player
Francis Molo to line up against his old club.
All up, there would be four games returning to Sydney, with the other matches in Canberra, Newcastle, Melbourne and either Redcliffe or Auckland, marking a return to most impacted areas during the second half of 2021, with more footy returning to
Queensland from Round 2.
