Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold has compared the NRL's flu shot conundrum to the price of beer while explaining how Queensland teams being forced to play home games in NSW doesn't pass the pub test.
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The NRL is due to restart in two weeks but the draw is yet to be released, with the refusal by a handful of players to take the flu shot proving an extra hurdle given the Queensland government's firm no jab, no play policy.
NRL players in states other than Queensland have signed a waiver that allows them to train and play without having the flu shot.
But, in a claim substantiated by home affairs minister Peter Dutton on Thursday, the Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young maintained she had never approved of the waiver option.
Dr Young said and that only a medical exemption would allow unvaccinated professional athletes to train or play north of the Tweed.
Gold Coast's Brian Kelly received his shot on Thursday and will be joined at training on Friday by teammate Bryce Cartwright, the last remaining Queensland-based player to refuse, after he was later granted a medical exemption.
Canberra trio Josh Papalii, Joe Tapine and Sia Soliola, Manly's Dylan Walker and Addin Fonua-Blake and Canterbury's Sione Katoa are understood to remain unvaccinated, meaning they would not be able to play games in Queensland unless they too were granted medical exemptions.
While Seibold said he had no issues with their individual decisions, he argued the NRL shouldn't feel obliged to accommodate them by removing Queensland from its scheduling.
"If we're going to cater for the minority then we're kidding ourselves really," he said.
"If we're having to go to Sydney because seven players from a couple of teams haven't got the jab, I think that'd be quite unfair.
"It's like going to the pub; you don't like paying $10 for a schooner, do you?
"But if you want company and connection with mates and to put a bet on and listen to the music you pay $10 at the pub.
"Otherwise you can pay $2.50 and drink Hahn Super Drys at home.
"If you want to play footy get the jab, if you don't want to play footy stay at home."
Seibold has been impressed with his squad's fitness, asserting that they would be ready to play if asked next Thursday.
But he said the lack of an NRL draw - a short-term schedule is due to be announced on Friday - was problematic because he liked to give players clarity on when they would be training.
"I'm patient to the fact it's a bizarre time, but I do like clarity and the sooner we get the draw the better," he said.
Australian Associated Press
