New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George is the latest to join the chorus of those hoping the 2021 Rugby League World Cup doesn’t go ahead.
The tournament, which is set to be held in the UK across October and November, still hasn’t been finalised with several nations yet to decide if they’ll compete.
With Australia and New Zealand still under strict COVID guidelines, many players, coaches and clubs believe the risk is too high to send squads over to the UK where restrictions have been relaxed and cases have grown.
Kiwi captain and Warriors playmaker Dallin Watene-Zelezniak recently said he can’t see it going ahead this year, and George agreed with his statement based on risk evaluation.
“Personally, I don’t think it should go ahead on the basis that lies on the risk over there,” George said on SENZ Mornings with Ian Smith.
“30,000 cases a day with COVID, and we’re shutting down states in Australia with 35 (cases).
“It’s a big risk. For us on a personal note, we lose all of our players thereabouts until the end of January next year, with the competition starting in March.
“It has a huge impact on us.”
Despite his concerns, George understands some players’ wishes to represent their nation on the world stage.
“But, I also appreciate and respect the guys’ cultures and how they wish to represent them,” George said.
“I don’t think it should go ahead, but we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Listen to the full chat here