The Canberra Raiders are considering a chartered fly-in, fly-out trip to the Gold Coast to avoid being stuck away from home if travel restrictions change before they can get back to the capital.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Raiders will play the New Zealand Warriors on the Gold Coast on Saturday after their match was relocated from Auckland to avoid a 14-day quarantine across the Tasman.
But trips within Australia are also of concern to players and clubs, who don't want to be away from families longer than they have to be.
The NRL has been considering all traveling options to protect players and team staff, such as chartering private planes and buses rather than taking public flights.
"We've got five teams traveling interstate for this round and at the moment we're planning with our airline partners how we protect them, whether that's charter flights or other opportunities," NRL boss Todd Greenberg said.
Athletes across all sports have voiced their concerns about having to fly to games given the uncertain and changing nature of coronavirus restrictions.
It led to the last round of the Sheffield Shield cricket competition being cancelled and other sports are considering their options.
The Raiders would usually fly to the Gold Coast a day or two before the game and return to Canberra the day after playing.
But the changing environment could lead to them hiring a private plane for the trip to ensure the health and safety of players and staff.
The Raiders have continued to train as normal but taken additional measures to avoid any risk of contracting the coronavirus.
Journalists had to stand 1.5 metres away from players at a media session on Monday, while players have been urged to regularly wash their hands and maintain basic hygiene.
Second-rower Elliott Whitehead admits the prospect of the league being suspended has been in the back of their minds, given the possibility of any player testing positive for COVID-19.
"We're training like we're playing at the moment, if it comes down to that then so be it," Whitehead said.
"The health of all people, not just the club but the community as well, are more important than rugby on the weekend. We're doing everything we can to stay away from the virus.
"We're all focused on training and know we have a job to do on the weekend, nothing changes in that aspect."
Charnzes Nicoll-Klokstad looks to set to return to fullback after failing a HIA in the first-half of their 24-6 win over the Gold Coast Titans last week. It means Bailey Simonsson will likely move back to the left wing when the round-two team is announced on Tuesday.
"Another game, another swap mid-game for me, but it was a shame Charnze had to come off in the first game with the head knock," Simonsson said.
"I just had to do my job and I thought we did a pretty good job to overcome that."
The Warriors are coming off a 20-0 loss to the Newcastle Knights, but Whitehead is wary of the New Zealand side given their desire to rise through the dire circumstance.
"They've got quality players in their team and they're going to want to get a win," Whitehead said.
"They've had to change their plans for this week and they're going to want to win as much as we do, but it's up to us to keep them out."
NRL ROUND TWO
Saturday: New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, 3pm.