Too soon or a light-hearted moment in the face of a crisis? Brisbane Broncos players pretend to spray sanitiser and wash their hands in try celebration as NRL announces it will ban fans from all games next week
- Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs scored a try against North Queensland Cowboys
- Staggs put hand out to teammate Jesse Arthars who pretended to spray sanitiser
- He then pretended to wash his hands before repeating the act to Arthar
- Their teammates watched on in glee as they also pretended to wash their hands
Two Brisbane Broncos players celebrated a four-point try by pretending to spray hand sanitiser on each other.
Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs scored a phenomenal try against North Queensland Cowboys on Friday night pushing them further into the lead.
As he got up to celebrate Staggs put his hand out to fellow teammate and fullback Jesse Arthars who pretended to spray hand sanitiser on him.
Staggs then 'washed' his hands with the sanitiser before repeating the action to Arthars.
Other team members watched on in glee and mimicked their washing hands process before embracing.
Kotoni Staggs (left) put his hand out to fellow teammate and fullback Jesse Arthars (right) who pretended to spray hand sanitiser on him
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The round two NRL game went ahead despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison's ban on gatherings of 500 or more people.
The stadium between the two Queensland teams was full as fans gathered to enjoy the return of the season.
However, from next week NRL games will not be played in front of spectators due to the killer coronavirus.
Mr Morrison announced on Friday a ban of gatherings with 500 or more people and the NRL decided to take that in their stride.
Staggs then repeated the act to Arthars as teammates watched on in glee after the try
The pair were showing off the importance of hygiene due to the killer coronavirus
AFL confirmed on Friday afternoon they have made the decision to go ahead with games as scheduled without any spectators despite some players expressing reservations about playing to empty stadiums.
The AFL will begin the season on time but will not allow fans into the ground for Round 1.
In a statement on Friday Gillon McLachlan, Chief Executive Officer of the AFL, said the health and safety of 'fans, players, umpires, officials and communities' was the priority.
'It is important that we take the advice of those that know best, and that advice right now is to continue with matches but not to host mass gatherings which can put everyone at risk,' Mr McLachlan said.
'We have said from the outset that we will rely on the advice of the medical experts who have been planning to deal with this situation for some time and we will continue to make decisions based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officers.
'I am disappointed for our fans but we cannot put them in a situation that potentially jeopardises the health and well-being of the whole community.'
Fans who have purchased tickets for Round 1 of the 2020 season via Ticketmaster and Ticketek will receive a refund.
On Friday the number of coronavirus cases in Australia soared to 200 - up more than a third in just 24 hours, according to health officials.
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