The ACT Brumbies could be back at training as early as Monday if the ACT government agrees to allow them to take the first steps in reviving their most promising season in almost 20 years.
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The Canberra Times can reveal the Brumbies have spoken with Rugby Australia and government officials about resuming training in groups of 10 when players return to the capital.
Rugby Australia has finalised a 32-page document, which details the health and safety protocols required by players and staff with a view to starting full training by June 8 and games in July.
The guidelines will not be as strict as the NRL's protocols, which have put players in lockdown and unable to visit anyone outside of their household.
The Brumbies confirmed all of their players have had a flu shot, but it is not part of the requirements to restart training next week.
It has been agreed players will be given a minimum of four weeks of full contact training before resuming games and the competition model is set to be finalised by June 8.
The potential relaxing of border restrictions will give teams the green light to move interstate, while there is still the possibility of playing against trans-Tasman rivals if travelling is possible.
Each team will have a coronavirus manager responsible for the team and ensuring up to date information is given to relevant parties.
Brumbies players are set to return from two weeks of active rest on Sunday before having an information session at Brumbies HQ on Monday and starting group training on Tuesday.
Teams will use a Rugby Australia "smartbase" to have players check in on a daily basis and answer questions relating to their health as well as having daily temperature checks.
"We've sent all of our information through to the ACT Health Minister and Minister for Sport," said Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson.
"At this stage it's looking very positive for us to be able to return to our training environment on Monday.
"We have an operations manual for return to training and competition. There are a number of protocols and procedures we've implemented around our training facility to ensure the work health and safety and medical protocols are followed."
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The document details who will be eligible to attend games when they restart, but the competition structure and draw is yet to be settled on.
A new competition could include the Japan Sunwolves and Western Force, but restrictions on international travel will make it difficult to include the Sunwolves.
New Zealand has launched its plans for a domestic season and Australian players have spoken to their cross-Tasman colleagues about future options.
The Brumbies decided to give players a two-week break from daily training to give them a chance to refresh before setting their sights on a season restart.
Dan McKellar's men had lost just one game before the coronavirus shutdown and were setting try-scoring records. Their attack and winning record was the best in 16 years.
"It's extremely exciting. We've taken a very cautious approach to it and we've complied with all the medical and safety requirements," Thomson said.
"But we can see that light at the end of the tunnel to hopefully get some rugby over the next couple of months.
"We're hopeful over the next period of time some of the restrictions are relaxed and there will be a gradual return to training and playing."