Covidiots! NRL stars Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr ignore social distancing rules and go on a 12-man dirt bike and shooting trip - before defending the weekend away as a 'CULTURAL GATHERING'
- The NRL superstars went on a weekend camping trip with a group of 12 men
- In shocking pictures, the group are seen hanging out in very close proximity
- The group flouted social distancing, designed to protect people from COVID-19
- The NRL will restart on May 28, but players are expected to abide by the rules
- Addo-Carr's teammate had insisted players were following 'extreme measures'
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
NRL stars Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr have sparked outrage after going on a boys camping weekend during the coronavirus lockdown.
But Addo-Carr has defended the trip involving moto-cross riding, shooting, as a 'cultural gathering', as both players are indigenous.
Pictures from the trip show the group of 12 men visiting Mitchell's farm near Taree, clearing breaking social distancing rules designed to keep the public safe.
The Rabbitohs and Melbourne Storm players could seen hanging out in close proximity by a camp fire, not sitting 1.5 metres apart - flouting the health advice.
In a bid to stop the spread of the deadly virus states imposed strict lockdown rules which forbid going out unless it's for essential reasons, such as going to work, school, exercise or grocery shopping.
Addo-Carr has since defended the controversial trip, saying it was a 'cultural gathering'.
NRL stars Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr are seen in a group of 12 people on a camping trip - openly flouting social distancing rules designed to keep people safe from COVID-19
NRL stars Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr are seen with a large group of friends on the NSW camping trip, despite strict coronavirus rules
Latrell Mitchell (pictured, right, with his partner Brielle Mercy) had a baby daughter just three weeks ago
The pictures emerged a day after the NRL handed their 48-page draft biosecurity measures to clubs, which include asking players to stay home except for training, playing, doctor's visits and essential food shopping.
They also dictate that players do not have visitors in their homes.
The NRL has threatened teams with the loss of points and heavy fines if any players break the rules ahead of the league restarting on May 28.
In a statement released since the pictures emerged, the NRL said the pair's behaviour was 'unacceptable'.
Other pictures, posted by Addo-Carr on Instagram, show the group shooting and riding motorbikes around the rural farm.
He wrote: 'Blackfulla adventures Camping with the brothers on Latrell Mitchell's property in Biripi country, throwing the bikes around and hunting, I’m next to buy a big property I think.'
Some disappointed fans took took to social media to voice their concerns.
'Isn’t there social isolation in your state and or territory?' one wrote.
Another added: 'Good to see the boys give two s***s about social isolation rules, evidently doesn’t apply if you play NRL.'
The property is in New South Wales, which has strict social distancing rules banning gatherings of more than two people.
Addo-Carr posted several pictures of the trip to Instagram (pictured), explaining the group were enjoying 'throwing the bikes around and hunting'
Mitchell had a baby daughter (pictured), Aleena, with his partner just three weeks ago
Latrell Mitchell (pictured, left) and Josh Addo-Carr (centre) are seen with team mate Cody Walker as the trio played in the State of Origin series in 2019
They were also seen riding motorbikes without wearing helmets.
Defending the trip, Addo-Carr told the Daily Telegraph it had been a 'cultural gathering' with cousins and uncles.
'Mate it was a cultural gathering,' he said.
'Learning about our land and our culture, learning how to hunt live off the land.'
Under NRL rules, clubs face fines and could even lose competition points if players flout COVID-19 rules.
Just three weeks ago, Mitchell had a baby daughter, Aleena, with his partner Brielle Mercy.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the teams for comment.
'Our players are role models and we expect them to lead by example during this pandemic,' the statement from the NRL said.
'On face value, the image in today's media is both disappointing and an unacceptable breach of health orders.
Josh Addo-Carr (pictured, left) showed off pictures of their boys' weekend, riding motorbikes and hunting on a rural property
Josh Addo-Carr (pictured, left) and Latrell Mitchell (right) have played together for the NSW Blues
'The NRL will be speaking to the players involved to seek further information and we will ensure the players provide any assistance authorities require.
'As a group, our players have taken government health orders very seriously and have helped educate the community.
'On face value, today’s matter is unacceptable and we support the government in any action they believe necessary.'
Players are due back at training on May 4, having stopped during the pandemic.
The NRL suspended its season on March 23, as the coronavirus crisis shut down sporting leagues across Australia.
At the time, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said the league could 'no longer guarantee the safety of players'.
'We aren't (yet) going to put a time period to the suspension,' he told a press conference in Sydney.
'We are going to look at every available option to us in the next week or so as to how we can recommence the season, be it in other areas, be it in north Queensland.'
The league is now set to restart on May 28, a move slammed by some players.
The players enjoyed a day at the beach riding bikes, despite coronavirus rules stating people can only be out for essential reasons
Latrell Mitchell (pictured, right) and Josh Addo-Carr (left) are seen in a team training session at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence field in Sydney on May 30 2019
Former Wallabies star Peter FitzSimons said it was 'absolute madness' for the league to start playing games again , claiming the league was benefiting from special treatment from the NSW government.
The ex-Wallaby questioned the logic that funerals were still limited to a maximum of ten people but NRL players could be in close contact with each other before going home to their families.
But NRL star Sandor Earl hit out at the criticism, saying players were taking 'special measures' to ensure they didn't mix in the community.
Unfortunately, it is one of his Melbourne Storm teammates - Addo-Carr - who was seen at the large camping trip - going against Earl's assertion.
'As players we will literally be bound to our room, whether that's accommodation in a hotel or our own houses, to training and then back,' the 30-year-old said in a video posted to Twitter on Sunday.
'I feel like there was a bit of misguided information...a little bit of lack of knowledge and understanding around that area and the point was also brought up about five people at funerals and how it's not fair for other people.
'I think that's a really bad example and a really bad link.'
He said a better comparison was with the hundreds of workers on high-rise construction projects who were mingling with each other and their communities.
'With sports and athletes we're talking about very strict isolated measures to be able to train and play,' he said.
NSW Police has since said it will investigate whether Kangaroos stars Mitchell and Addo-Carr flouted social distancing laws on the mid-north coast farm.
There was no time stamp on the images.
The Melbourne Storm winger (pictured) said even if players were kissing or hugging each other they wouldn't be spreading the virus if they remained isolated together as a group
Mitchell has a farm in the region and spent a significant amount of his summer there while considering his contract options before joining South Sydney.
However, Addo-Carr's social media suggests he has spent the majority of the coronavirus shutdown in Sydney.
'The matter will be investigated. What action is taken will fall out of that investigation,' NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Gary Worboys said on Monday.
'I have spoken this morning to the regional commander at northern.
'He will make himself aware of what's on the back page of the paper and make some inquiries.
'Police haven't been backward at all in taking complaints, making investigations and taking the appropriate action.
