Canberra's club rugby community can breathe easy. They've jumped over the first coronavirus hurdle, but players and officials know it won't be the last as they attempt to navigate a season like never before.
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A Queanbeyan Whites support staff member has been cleared to rejoin the team after returning a negative COVID-19 test.
The Whites notified ACT Rugby and round-one opponents the Tuggeranong Vikings of the situation earlier this week after the staff member was one of several Canberrans who had visited the Soldiers Club at Batemans Bay.
Anxiety levels rose just one game into the new-look season, which has already been greatly affected by the virus shutdown. But the Whites announced good news on Wednesday afternoon.
"This is obviously a relief to the individual, our club and the wider local rugby community," the Whites said in a statement. "It is an anxious time for everyone and we hope our transparent approach has been appreciated."
So the competition will go ahead, but clubs are more aware now about why they need to adhere to coronavirus measures to ensure the competition goes ahead.
Players have individual water bottles, change room use is minimal, game balls are cleaned at half-time and crowd numbers are limited by ACT government regulations.
Tuggeranong flanker Luke Gersekowski said: "We had a chat about [the Queanbeyan test] at training. It was a bit worrying, but it's all clear now and everyone is looking forward to the weekend.
The Vikings will play Royals in a grand final re-match this weekend, aiming to get revenge for losing the decider last year as well as trying to hold on to the Bob Hitchcock Shield.
Royals skipper Ben Johnston said: "We have to adapt to what's happening around us and that's the same for everyone. It's different, but it's not massive. From what I can see, clubs and players are doing their best to abide by those [restrictions]."
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
Crowd restrictions could ease this week if government directives change for the second week of the competition.
The government allowed contact sport to resume last week, with a four-team Canberra rugby league competition set to join the weekend schedule on Saturday.
JOHN I DENT CUP ROUND TWO
Saturday: Gungahlin Eagles v Queanbeyan Whites at Nicholls Enclosed; Uni-Norths Owls v Wests at ANU North; Tuggeranong Vikings v Royals at Viking Park. All games at 3.05pm
Chris Dutton
Chris Dutton has been a sport journalist since 2008, covering rugby union, rugby league, basketball, cricket and soccer. He has covered World Cups and Olympic Games in print and online. Chris has had a stint as news director, but is back in sport to follow the ups and downs. Email: chris.dutton@canberratimes.com.au
Chris Dutton has been a sport journalist since 2008, covering rugby union, rugby league, basketball, cricket and soccer. He has covered World Cups and Olympic Games in print and online. Chris has had a stint as news director, but is back in sport to follow the ups and downs. Email: chris.dutton@canberratimes.com.au
