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The New Zealand Warriors are heading to Australia to prepare for the resumption of the NRL season, but two players have not boarded the plane, one for compassionate reasons and the other due to illness.
Warrior Patrick Herbert salutes before boarding a charter flight to Tamworth.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
Warrior center David Fusitu’a and prostitute Nathaniel Roache stayed in Auckland when the game team and coaching staff left on a charter flight this afternoon.
The club said Fusitu’a had been granted a compassionate leave to delay his departure, while Roache was ordered to stay home after contacting medical personnel this morning to say he was not okay.
“Nate called the club first thing in the morning saying he was not feeling well,” Warriors chief executive Cameron George said in a statement.
“He was instructed to get tested immediately and was told not to report to the airport as he would not be traveling with the team.”
“We are fully satisfied that Nate has not had contact with any other players or staff members at the club for several weeks and we are very comfortable that we have followed all the policies and requirements.”
Roache only played six games in 2019, and was not part of the Warriors team in the first two rounds of this year before the coronavirus forced the season to close.
Fusitu’a has played 98 times for the Warriors since 2014, scoring 60 attempts. He played in both team losses to start the 2020 season.
The Warriors have been given permission to travel to Australia and isolate and train in Tamworth amid the coronavirus pandemic, so the club can prepare for when the season resumes on May 28.
Speaking to the media this afternoon, Australian Medical Director Brendan Murphy said he doubted Roache was positive for Covid-19, given New Zealand’s low case count.
“I would be very surprised if [Roache’s test] it’s positive, given what is happening in New Zealand right now, “said Dr. Murphy.
Isaiah Papalii’s temperature is taken before joining the Warriors on a charter flight to Tamworth.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
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