The Australian Federal Government has given the New Zealand Warriors clearance to fly into Australia ahead of the May 28 NRL restart as the code continues to handle player anger towards their pay.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has approved the Warriors entry into Australia as the side will fly into Tamworth Airport in northern NSW.
Clearance is still pending from the Australian Border Force though it is expected that the Auckland-based side will be approved following the national cabinet meeting on Friday.
The Warriors will be forced to quarantine for 14 days as a result of strict COVID-19 prevention restrictions but will be allowed to train as a group during the period.
The club has been seeking clarity from the NRL surrounding their situation, in particular issues relating to pay.
“The Warriors just wanted clarity on a few things and now they have got that they are fully supportive,” ARLC chairman Peter V’landys told AAP.
Players across the code have voiced their concern about their payments and reportedly threatened to skip Monday's health and safety protocols meeting and then training throughout the week should the matter not be resolved.
Though Sydney Morning Herald reporter Andrew Webster explained that the issue was being resolved.
“I’ve spoken to a couple of players in the past week and they’ve been very, very unhappy with the clarity they’ve gotten around money but also around medical protocols and a whole range of issues and work conditions", he said on Big Sports Breakfast.
“They haven’t been prepared to talk about publicly because they didn’t want to get painted as greedy."
The players were originally offered 70% of their yearly wage which caused fury amongst the ranks which has forced the governing body to improve it to 80%.
“The revised offer is 80 per cent which you’d have to say having missed six rounds of football already and then another three, it’s not a bad deal when you think about it", Webster said.
Nine reporter Neil Breen stated the even though there has been an improvement, the issue is yet to be resolved.
“They’ve agreed to go on Monday but training could be delayed until they sort out players’ pay,” Breen reported.
NRL boss Peter V'landys further explained that the competition and its players were not at odds.
“The players are totally and utterly committed to the recommencement of the game on the 28th of May,” V’Landys said.
“They’ve been mischaracterized in relation to the payments, they’re very happy with what the offer is and we’re going to work together.”
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