Rugby League: New Zealand Warriors await crucial information before final decision on revised NRL competition

The Warriors are waiting for vital information on player compensation, before they can confirm their participation in a restarted competition.

Behind the scenes, the club is preparing for a departure date this Sunday, and has been evaluating limited flight options to fly from Auckland this weekend after NRL confirmation Tuesday night that matches would begin. again in four weeks.

But the NRL is believed to have yet to communicate to the Warriors, or to any of the other 15 clubs, an idea about salary levels for the players in the compressed competition, which will begin on May 28.

While that’s not an immediate problem for most other teams, especially the nine Sydney-based clubs, it’s a stumbling block for the Warriors.

In less than five days, the squad is expected to board a plane and say goodbye to their families, for a stay at the Tasman that could extend to five or six months.

It is an amazing commitment, and the Herald understands that players have universally told club management, through the senior leadership group, that they are prepared to do so.

However, it is impossible to make the final decision without knowing how much they will be paid.

Players’ salaries have been frozen since the NRL was suspended, with the understanding that they would receive a revised amount if and when the season restarted, under the agreement reached between the Rugby League Players Association and the body rector on a new salary cap, after Covid-19 Interruptions.

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Confirmation Tuesday night that a 20-round competition will take place was positive news, but lacking in one of the most crucial details.

The Warriors hope to get more details from the NRL soon, before getting final approval from the playgroup.

There is no suggestion that players will not go, but making that decision in an information gap is not feasible.

While it can be difficult to confirm exact figures, players should know the minimum baseline.

The Warriors are also awaiting written confirmation of the Australian federal government’s waiver for a border clearance for soccer players, coaches and staff, who must enter New South Wales before heading down the coast to the base in proposed quarantine at Tamworth.

Once the players have settled into their training base, the club, together with the NRL, will begin the next step; plan the logistics of the relocation of some of the wives, partners and children, and the visits of others.

Family members will also need border exemptions, but the players agreed that it was pragmatic to focus first on team approval, before applying on behalf of the family, due to the volume of people and the complexity of the process.

Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys confirmed the revised competition on Tuesday night, after extensive negotiations with broadcasters Channel Nine and Fox Sports over the weekend.

In addition to an 18-week club season, the State of Origin series is expected to be played in November.

Training will start again for all teams on May 4 and strict biosecurity measures will be introduced for players, club officials and staff.

The NRL said these protocols will be stricter than Australia’s current public health guidelines and that players will face penalties if they violate the protocols.