NRL 2022: Storm star Nelson Asofa-Solomona back at training

Asofa-Solomona’s appearance at training has ended a saga that dragged through the pre-season, with the New Zealand international reluctant to get the Covid-19 vaccine.

“Pretty nervous to come back but really happy to be back with the boys,” Aosfa-Solomona said.

“I think I was more nervous about what I was in for, I knew the Storm wasn’t going to take it easy on me.

“I was stoked to be back and I’m 100 per cent on board this year.

Aosfa-Solomona has been training on his own during the pre-season but said he was confident of being ready to take part in the Storm’s trials — and for their Round 1 clash with Wests Tigers.

“I feel like I’m ready so it’s just up to (Bellamy).

Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said that Asofa-Solomona had provided all necessary information and certification to comply with the requirements of the Victorian and Queensland Governments to allow him to return for training and to play.

“It is great to have Nelson back at the club and back with his teammates,” Rodski said

“It has been a slightly interrupted build up for Nelson but importantly he has been completing his own individual training program over the last few months away from the club.

“He has returned to training in good shape, and we are confident he will be ready for selection ahead of Round 1 of the season.”

At one point it looked like Asofa-Solomona may leave the club. However, he has now been cleared by authorities to resume training at AAMI Park. His return is a huge relief for a Storm side under siege.

On Thursday morning, the Dolphins confirmed they had signed Kenny Bromwich for next season — the third high-profile Melbourne player to accept a deal from the NRL’s newest club for their entry to the premiership in 2023.

How NRL plans to ease tension over Covid protocols

By Brent Read, David Riccio and Michael Carayannis

The NRL has held showdown talks with players over its Covid protocol plans as some of the game’s biggest names held discussions with ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.

News Corp understands that RLPA chief executive Clint Newton and senior members of the players union are ready to vent their frustration at the prospect of another season of heightened protocols, having already endured two years of heavy restrictions.

The players believe the NRL should adopt a set of commonsense Covid “recommendations” for them to follow as opposed to being held accountable to their current bubble-like restrictions.

They also harbour concerns over the amount of consultation heading into 2022, which is shaping as a crucial one for the game as head office looks to hold pay talks with the players over the salary cap for 2023 and beyond.

While there is an understanding that the competition needs to be protected from Covid, there is also a view among some of the game’s senior players that the protocols could be more reflective of community standards.

V’landys is ready to personally intervene in an attempt to alleviate some of the concerns. The NRL is on high alert as Covid has already ripped through most of the 16 clubs, tormenting players and officials throughout the off-season.

Every club has been affected and the vast majority of players in Sydney — more than 80 per cent — have already contracted the virus. That infection rate has been mirrored interstate.

The concern for the NRL is that it will impact on the season once it begins, jeopardising its ability to honour its broadcasting agreements with Foxtel and the Nine Network.

With that in mind, the NRL has begun putting a plan in place that would see charter flights for every NRL team instead of a bubble.

Abdo has confirmed the game is considering the return of charter flights and says it has the financial capacity to cover the multimillion-dollar cost of private transport for every player and coaching staff member.

Flying teams in and out on the same day of matches worked efficiently and with positive feedback from clubs during the Covid-impacted 2020 season. The operation wasn’t required last year due to the relocation of the entire competition to Queensland.

Abdo raised the prospect of bringing back charter flights to start the new season with all 16 club CEO’s last month.

He said the ARL Commission would have the final say, but said the code would be making decisions this year based on “logic”.

“That decision hasn’t been made yet — it’s just the logic,’’ Abdo said.

“We’ve got to consider everything. We don’t want to put everyone in a bubble and we had good financial results last year and have put aside a Covid budget for this reason.’’

During the 2020 season, in a bid to decrease the threat of spreading infection, the same charter plane was used for all teams.

Prior to Covid-19, teams with travelling parties of up to 30, including players and coaching staff, would travel on a commercial airline and spend at a minimum both the night before and after their game, at a hotel.

Under the charter flight system, teams arrive four hours before kick-off and depart two hours after they have played.

The return of charter flights is just one measure the NRL is looking to implement in order to avoid the collapse of the competition due to Covid.

The Daily Telegraph can also reveal unvaccinated players have been banned from having guests at their homes or visit another household and must seek an exemption to attend a wedding or funeral.

The NRL has again tinkered with its protocols separating those players who are vaccinated and unvaccinated.

Unvaccinated players now sit in Apollo B register and are under tighter restrictions.

Clubs must have separate bathrooms and eating areas for vaccinated and unvaccinated players.

Players who have yet to be jabbed are being told they must wear a mask at all times – even outdoors, unless they are exercising, eating or drinking.

They must continue to complete a daily NRL wellness check and to access training and match days they must undergo and return negative rapid tests twice a day.

The first one is to occur when they enter training and six hours after leaving the venue.

They cannot use the club’s indoor gym and can only meet with members of their own household outdoors for recreational purposes.

Apollo A register – the vaccinated players – are under much looser restrictions.

They need to undergo a rapid test each day and are banned from bars, nightclubs, cinemas and bowling alleys.

They can eat outdoors at restaurants and cafes and have been asked – not told – to limit having 10 guests a day at their house.

SULLIVAN TO JOIN COMMISSION

By Brent Read, David Riccio

Former judiciary chairman Alan Sullivan QC is poised to join the ARL Commission.

The nominations committee rubber-stamped Sullivan’s appointment on Wednesday and he will formally be appointed to the commission next week.

Sullivan has long-standing links to rugby league — he was the chairman of the NSW Rugby League judiciary and subsequently the Australian Rugby League judiciary in the 1990s.

He has also been a member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and was involved in Sydney’s bid for the 2000 Olympic Games.

He retains close ties to the game through his involvement with the Men of League Foundation. More recently, he represented the NRL and ARL Commission in their Federal Court battle with St George Illawarra star Jack de Belin.

Club chairs were informed of Sullivan’s impending appointment on Wednesday afternoon.

“Just a short note to advise you that the nominations committee met tonight and unanimously agreed to recommend the appointment of Alan Sullivan QC to the commission,” ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys wrote in an email.

“In looking at the skill matrix of the Commission and the game’s future challenges and ambitions it was felt that the Commission would greatly benefit (from) having an eminent legal mind on the Board.

“After considering who would be best for the role it was felt it would be a coup if we could procure Alan Sullivan QC.

“Not only is Alan one of the top legal practitioners in Australia but he also has immense corporate knowledge representing the ARLC over many years.

“Alan has also represented many other sports.”