Canberra Raiders NRL 2020 draw: Trio eye exemptions for flu shots

Raiders trio Josh Papalii, Sia Soliola and Joe Tapine may have to apply for a government clearance to play in Queensland having signed waivers to avoid flu shots.

The Canberra forwards have been cleared to train and play in the ACT, NSW and Victoria, but would require a Queensland government clearance to do so up north.

The Raiders will travel to Queensland twice to meet the North Queensland Cowboys (round 12 on August 1) and Gold Coast Titans (round 15 on August 22) in a revamped 20-round fixture.

It is likely the three Canberra stars will be cleared to play after Gold Coast Titan Bryce Cartwright received a medical exemption to train and play without a flu shot.

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There is a chance the Raiders will avoid the hassle if the Queensland government eases its stance by that stage of the coronavirus pandemic.

"To be honest I haven't even broached it with one of them. It's been the furthest thing from my mind," Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said.

"They have their own reasons for their decisions, and when we get closer to having to play in Queensland, we'll worry about it then.

"They haven't made these decisions for any type of publicity stunt or statement, they've got their reasons for it."

The Raiders will meet the Sydney Roosters, Melbourne Storm, New Zealand Warriors, St George-Illawarra Dragons and the Titans twice.

It mirrors their original 2020 schedule, which had Canberra slated to play all five of those clubs twice. They have avoided doubles against Manly, Penrith, South Sydney and Wests.

The Raiders will call Campbelltown Stadium home for phase one of the competition with the NRL using only six venues to meet biosecurity protocols and broadcast considerations.

It means the Green Machine will be unable to use Canberra Stadium until mid-July despite the ACT being one of only two jurisdictions to be free of any known active COVID-19 cases.

The Raiders have already hosted one home game at Canberra Stadium this season. They have four lined up for Campbelltown Stadium. It means a further five games could be played in the capital this year.

Venues have been allocated for games in rounds three to nine. The NRL will reassess the prospect of playing in other stadiums from round 10 onwards.

CANBERRA'S 2020 NRL DRAW (home games in bold)

Round one: Canberra Raiders 24 bt Gold Coast Titans 6 at Canberra Stadium.

Round two: Canberra Raiders 20 bt New Zealand Warriors 6 at Robina Stadium.

Round three: Saturday, May 30 - Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders at Melbourne, 7.35pm.

Round four: Sunday, June 7 - Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown Stadium, 4.05pm.

Round five: Saturday, June 13 - Wests Tigers v Canberra Raiders at Campbelltown Stadium, 7.35pm.

Round six: Sunday, June 21 - Canberra Raiders v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Campbelltown Stadium, 4.05pm.

Round seven: Saturday, June 27 - Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders at Western Sydney Stadium, 5.30pm.

Round eight: Friday, July 3 - Canberra Raiders v St George Illawarra Dragons at Campbelltown Stadium, 6pm.

Round nine: Saturday, July 11 - Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Campbelltown Stadium, 5.30pm.

Round 10: Thursday, July 16 - Sydney Roosters v Canberra Raiders, 7.50pm.

Round 11: Saturday, July 25 - Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs, 5.30pm.

Round 12: Saturday, August 1 - North Queensland Cowboys v Canberra Raiders, 7.35pm.

Round 13: Saturday, August 8 - Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders, 7.35pm.

Round 14: Saturday, August 15 - Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos, 7.35pm.

Round 15: Saturday, August 22 - Gold Coast Titans v Canberra Raiders, 3pm.

Round 16: Sunday, August 30 - Canberra Raiders v Canterbury Bulldogs, 6.30pm.

Round 17: Saturday, September 5 - Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters, 7.35pm.

Round 18: Saturday, September 12 - St George Illawarra Dragons v Canberra Raiders, 3pm.

Round 19: Sunday, September 20 - Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors, 2pm.

Round 20: Saturday, September 26 - Cronulla Sharks v Canberra Raiders, 5.30pm.