<
>

Bryce Cartwright, anti-vaxxers, to be stood down

Gold Coast Titans star Bryce Cartwright and two teammates have been stood down for refusing the flu jab, according to reports following the Queensland Premier's address.

Channel Seven journalist Chris Garry reported on Friday afternoon that the trio -- all Gold Coast players, including Cartwright -- had been stood down by the Queensland Government. He said the state's chief health officer wanted more information before any or all of the players are reinstated.

Cartwright had initially refused to sign a waiver accepting liability for refusing to take the flu shot, despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison's 'no jab, no play' push.

The trio may not be the only players stood down. It's believed up to 20 athletes have refused to be vaccinated, including Josh Papalli who did not attend the Raiders first training session after the COVID-19 shutdown, on various grounds.

Cartwright reported to Titans training on Friday after agreeing to sign a softened waiver, however, according to Nine News, ARL commission chairman Peter V'landys and the NRL will toughen their stance following the advice from medicos and pressure from the federal government.

Queensland Health Minister Stephen Miles has accused the code of breaking their own plans to safely return to play amid the COVID-19 outbreak and would need to convince the Queensland government of their plans.

"This was their plan, they came up with this, they put it to us," he told ABC radio on Friday.

"[Chief Health Officer] Jeannette [Young] assessed it as being a good plan, and one that was safe. It's their plan and they have to implement it.

"It's not a good look, frankly, that so quickly into this agreement they've not been able to implement their own plan.

"They have responsibility to implement the plan that has been approved."