Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss has confirmed players will be given the option of flying home from New Zealand before kick-off against the Crusaders on Sunday, should their families suffer any severe effects from Cyclone Alfred.
The squad travelled to New Zealand from Perth following their triumph of the Western Force, leaving no time to return to Brisbane and help prepare for the impending tempest.
Wallabies forward Lukhan Salakaia-Loto confirmed he will remain at home, given that he is still recovering from a leg injury and has been actively working to help brace for the carnage.
The cyclone is expected to ease from late on Friday, with the possible chance of heavy rain by Saturday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Kiss said it was too late for players to consider missing the Christchurch trip, but support plans had been implemented for loved ones back home – including all cars parked at Ballymore being moved to high ground.
“It has obviously been front of mind for us. The boys have all spoken to their partners and families, and from Ballymore head office, we’ve assisted where we can to make sure everyone is in a good place,” Kiss said.
“We’re in discussions with staff who are flying over as well, and we may change plans to ensure they can stay with their families, and we’ll be able to adapt to those situations.
“Absolutely, we will do what we can to ensure any player or staff member who feels they need to be somewhere, we’ll do what we can. Obviously, with flights and all those things, they’re obviously full at the moment, and with people manoeuvring around, we’ll do what we can to help anyone.
“If we can’t do it directly, we’ll do it indirectly by getting people back home to ensure we can provide the type of support they need.”
The continuation of sport amid the looming chaos has drawn ire, with a postponement of Friday night’s NRL clash between the Dolphins and South Sydney Rabbitohs originally considered before a home-game swap was arranged.
Kodi Nikorima’s wife took to social media to condemn the decision to move the Dolphins game to Sydney as “disgusting”.Credit: NRL Photos
Bree Nikorima – the wife of Dolphins NRL star Kodi Nikorima – called on the NRL to “do better” in a now-deleted Instagram post, as she prepared to care for the couple’s two young children while six months’ pregnant without her husband.
While the Brisbane Lions’ opening round fixture against Geelong to launch the AFL season has been moved, with round three the most likely option as both sides have byes, that was not the case for the NRL contest.
The Dolphins confirmed players were given the option of staying home with their families, however they were expected to line up as named at this stage.
Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader said hotel accommodation had been arranged in Brisbane City so the players’ families and partners could be together in a more secure environment, while the players will fly to Sydney as late as possible to give them time to prepare their properties and possessions.
He said the club’s welfare team would support any family that chose not to go into hotel accommodation.
“We’ve got a pretty close-knit group of players, so things like that [missing the game] are always taken into account and people are free to make decisions. But like other teams, we’ve got to play a game, and the boys are behind playing,” Reader said.
“We looked at every contingency that we could – playing possibly on Sunday, or even on the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast … we looked at many things to try to make it happen to not play it.
“Because of the broadcast agreement and the way things work, thankfully, we were able to come up with something to move it. Everyone’s apprehensive about what’s happening … and we’re really cautious about what’s happening.”
“We’re making sure we’re doing whatever we can to make people feel more comfortable and to put our players and their partners at ease.”
Dolphins CEO Terry Reader
The Brisbane Broncos are already in Sydney ahead of their season launch on Thursday night against the Roosters, with coach Michael Maguire revealing chief executive Dave Donaghy immediately returned home after arriving south of the border to lead liaison efforts between the players and their families.
“The club’s been really good. Obviously, it’s my first time to face something like this, and they’ve been really proactive,” Maguire said.
“They’re talking and getting out to the partners and wives to make sure everyone’s safe throughout this situation. It’s going into a little bit of the unknown when you face things like this, and we just have to deal with it as best we can.”
Sports affected by Cyclone Alfred
- The Dolphins’ Friday night clash against the Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium will take place in Sydney, with the round 17 encounter between the two sides now being played in Brisbane.
- The Brisbane Lions’ opening round battle on Thursday with Geelong will be postponed, with early indications pointing to a clash in round three, when the two sides were due to have the bye.
- The Gold Coast Suns were also set to host Essendon on Saturday, but that match’s postponement has presented different problems, given the two teams do not share a bye.
- Queensland Rugby League has rescheduled a host of fixtures for its season launch this weekend. Souths Logan were due to host Clydesdales on Saturday, with their clash now moved to Sunday and subject to safety approvals closer to the time. Tweed will also move their game at Piggabeen against Wynnum Manly to Sunday. Burleigh’s home game against the Capras will now take place on August 2, while Ipswich will instead host Townsville on May 10.
- Queensland’s statewide junior rugby league competitions have been postponed until mid next week. Girls’ and boys’ under-17s and under-19s games originally slated for this weekend in Tweed and Burleigh will take place on Wednesday March 12, while the corresponding games to be played in Ipswich against the Sunshine Coast will occur over the Easter weekend.
- The Mooloolaba Triathlon will be postponed, with Sunshine Coast Council working to secure a new date.
- The Brisbane Roar women’s side was due to host Melbourne City on Sunday, but a new date will be finalised following a pitch inspection early next week.
- Queensland Cricket has confirmed all competitions in the state’s south-east will not be played, and clubs have been advised not to cover their pitches for safety reasons.
- The Queensland Firebirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning have cancelled the Suncorp Spirit Cup, which was set to take place on the Gold Coast on Friday.
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