Anthony Albanese's major hint amid Damien Cook drama in NRL
The South Sydney Rabbitohs may be set to name Damien Cook for their clash with the Roosters this weekend amid reports Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told the club about a potential isolation period change for Covid-19 cases.
The Rabbitohs will prepare for the blockbuster Friday night clash against their arch-rivals at the grand opening of the new Allianz Stadium without star hooker Cook.
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The No.9 was initially ruled out with Covid-19 after he started his seven days of isolation on Saturday.
However, Cook could still be named for this weekend's clash due to a reported policy change for the length of isolation for people with Covid.
The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting the National Cabinet is set to discuss cutting the length of Covid isolation periods from seven days down to five on Wednesday.
The publication also claimed that sources said Albanese, a diehard Rabbitohs fan, may have tipped off the club about the pending change.
This could see Cook selected to play when the team is named on Tuesday.
Cook could potentially exit isolation on Wednesday and squeeze in a training session on Thursday before the highly-anticipated clash on Friday.
Albanese was spotted at the Rabbitohs' 20-10 victory over North Queensland on Saturday night.
The Rabbitohs sit seventh on 30 points, two ahead of the Raiders and the Broncos before the final round.
However, a huge points difference leaves the Rabbitohs in a comfortable position to make the finals.
The Roosters are level with the Rabbitohs ahead of their clash in the last round of the regular season.
Watching politicians pretend to follow sport makes me sick. Sportsball (of whatever variety) was popularised by industrialists in the late 1800's to keep working people divided and distracted.
— Sal Pantaloni (@glasgowkiwi) August 28, 2022
And spreads it to the rest of his teammate…..
— norts (@nortssss) August 28, 2022
@AlboMP Let's hope this bullshit about shortening isolation periods is just that...bullshit! People are dying every day in Australia because of covid. We should be acting like we care that vulnerable people are dying!https://t.co/GKTZTGOsM5 via @Yahoo
— Veronika Sain (@VeronikaSain) August 29, 2022
So how’s that work on transferring the virus to other players for the semi finals. Or is that the plan.
— Birdman (@budgie926) August 28, 2022
Changes to NRL's isolation rules aren't a given
In July, NSW premier Dominic Perrottet told 2GB radio that he was keen to review the length of the mandatory isolation period, pointing to the likelihood of future outbreaks in the years to come.
Changes this week would prove timely for the NRL, given no formal biosecurity bubbles have been announced for the finals series, which begin next weekend.
Canterbury forward Luke Thompson is the only other player currently in Covid-19 isolation, but had already been on track to play this weekend.
While the NRL has always followed government guidelines in developing its own Covid-19 policies, any amendments would need to be approved by league officials ahead of the game of first round 25 on Thursday night.
That means the NRL is no guarantee of cutting its own isolation period to five days, even if the federal government makes changes to home quarantine guidelines this week.
According to AAP, the NRL will begin reviewing its Covid-19 guidelines if any changes are announced by Prime Minister Albanese following Wednesday's meeting.
with AAP
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