Anti-vaxxers jeopardise NRL's return

A new headache has emerged for rugby league officials as a small group of players have elected to not take vaccinations prior to the season's continuation in late May. 

NRL's biosecurity measures list mandatory flu injections but a select-few of anti-vaxx players could be putting their careers on the line. 

“That will be a decision for Dr Bloomfield, who is head of medicine for the NRL,” Phil Rothfield said on The Big Sport Breakfast.

“Some people are against it and particularly their wives with newborn babies. Most doctors will tell you that is a really irresponsible position, but they are very strong on it."

Rothfield continued to explain how this will prove problematic for the competition.

“I disagree with it," he said. "If they refuse it is going to be a problem for the NRL because you just want to cut out the risk, particularly over winter of players getting flu-like symptoms and mixing with other players in this crisis.

“It is going to be a big call for the NRL. They are going to have to look at other options with these players and keep a record of players that refuse to take an injection.

“I don’t think you can make them do it if that is the way they feel. Maybe they will have to be stood down, I don’t know. But it is a problem for the game.”

Another concern for the NRL are players not downloading the federal government's COVID-19 tracing app.

Though ARLC chairman Peter V'landys further explained that meetings are needed as critics worry over data breaches within the application.