Australia’s chief medical officer insists the NRL should require approval from the national cabinet before it can return to the field on May 28 as planned.
The NRL received a massive boost in their planned comeback on Thursday, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirming the federal government is open to the Warriors landing in Australia.
Morrison also confirmed the NSW state government would have the final say on the competition’s return, given the likelihood all games will be played there.
And while Australia’s chief medical officer Brendan Murphy agreed, he believed all major sports should need federal clearance.
“I would be hopeful decisions around starting codes would have national cabinet approval, because there’s more than one sporting code,” Murphy told a Senate inquiry into the federal government’s coronavirus response.
“The federal government and the Minister for Sport’s office are obviously in ongoing discussions with the NRL.
“There hasn’t been a formal process of seeking approval from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, to my knowledge.”
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Warriors still present the biggest hurdle for the game to clear before resuming.
Current coronavirus border restrictions mean the country is only open to Australian citizens, but several exemptions have been made.
But both Morrison and Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton indicated New Zealand was a lower-risk country.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys was due to speak with Dutton on Thursday about the Warriors.
Morrison has also been in dialogue with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern about relaxing travelling restrictions for those across the Tasman.
“If there is any country in the world with whom we can reconnect with first, undoubtedly that’s New Zealand,” Morrison told reporters.
“We have similar trajectories. Their restrictions have been far greater.
“Our (coronavirus) case response has been the same, if not better, than New Zealand.”
Morrison pointed out the Border Force commissioner has already granted exemptions for some international travellers to enter the country.
The Warriors are likely to be next, but would have to spend two weeks in quarantine on arrival.
“I think we can look potentially favourably on (the Warriors), provided all the other arrangements are in place regarding public safety,” Morrison said.
The NRL is investigating whether the Warriors will be permitted to train together while in isolation, possibly in Lennox Head on the NSW far north coast.
Travel restrictions could force them to relocate to Australia for several months.
The club has yet to sign off on the move, demanding answers from the NRL on the length of the season and how much players would be paid.
Players union boss Clint Newton confirmed on Thursday the goal was for the team to be able to train while in camp.
On Friday the NRL will give clubs their draft biosecurity regulations, which V’landys has claimed will be a benchmark for all sports.
They are then expected to present the final 50-page document to the NSW Government next week, as part of the pitch for their return.
The league have previously received confirmation from the state government that the game can legally return on the basis it provides a safe workplace.