Confusion reigns as PM insists Warriors still not cleared to fly
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the national cabinet won't stand in the way of the NRL resuming on May 28 but insists the Warriors have not yet been cleared by Border Force to enter Australia.
NRL and Warriors sources indicated on Friday morning that the club had been given the green light to fly to Tamworth to begin quarantine on Sunday but, in a national address on Friday afternoon, Morrison said the matter was yet to be resolved by Border Force.
"In relation to the border issues with New Zealand, that authority has not been provided," Morrison said.
"No amount of reporting it will change that decision. That will be made on the basis of the assessment of the Australian Border Force. They're working through that application, they've received that application and when they're in a position to authorise it, they will."
The Herald has contacted Border Force to clarify when the matter will be resolved, as the Warriors have been given private assurances they will be cleared to fly this weekend.
Morrison also reiterated it was not up to his cabinet to give a travel exemption to the Warriors.
While the Prime Minister acknowledged Friday's meeting had included the discussion of both elite and community sports, he said the NRL's proposed return would ultimately be determined by state jurisdictions.
"The national cabinet has not provided that endorsement, nor is it for the national cabinet to do that," Morrison said.
"The individual jurisdictions will ultimately provide any clearances that are necessary on a health basis, to deal with any of the major codes.
"Those jurisdictions that are relevant to those codes - through the medical expert panel - will provide expert health advice to those jurisdictions."
It clears the NRL to return on May 28, given the NSW Police Force has already assured ARL Commission chair Peter V'landys it won't breach public health orders.
If Border Force does give a green light to the Warriors in the next 48 hours, Tamworth Airport will be reopened as an international airport so the Auckland-based club can fly into the country NSW town on Sunday.
But there remains no guarantee the New Zealand club will start training, with a pay deal yet to be finalised.
While the charter flight has been booked, Warriors players have still not been provided the assurances they are seeking regarding the pay deal.
Players from other NRL clubs have backed the Warriors, who told the NRL they would not travel until the pay deal was agreed.
That stance changed, however, on a phone hook-up between senior Warriors players and V'landys on Friday.
Sources told the Herald V'landys urged the players to work with the NRL, pointing out the fact they will receive more than the 29.5 per cent share agreed upon in the most recent CBA this year.
Sources have confirmed the Warriors agreed to get on the flight to Australia and take part in Monday's biosecurity "education day".
But the players have given no guarantee they will then train on Tuesday. That guarantee will only come once the finer details of the pay agreement have been finalised.
Meanwhile, all three Queensland clubs are waiting on assurances today from their state government to allow them to be based in their respective cities when the competition resumes.