South Sydney are preparing to name Damien Cook for Friday night’s grudge match against the Sydney Roosters even though the match falls inside the hooker’s seven-day COVID quarantine period.
And the Rabbitohs may have Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to thank for the shock move.
Cook tested positive to COVID-19 on Saturday morning and under the mandated seven-day isolation period would be ineligible to play in the Friday night blockbuster to christen the new Allianz Stadium in front of a sell out crowd.
However, sources with knowledge of the situation told the Herald that the Rabbitohs have been given a heads-up by their No.1 fan that the isolation rules will be up for discussion in the national cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
Albanese was at the South Sydney game against the North Queensland Cowboys at Accor Stadium on Saturday night.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is pushing for a relaxation of the quarantine rules. It is expected the isolation period will be cut from seven to five days.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese watching the South Sydney Rabbitohs v the Wests Tigers game in April.Credit:Flavio Brancaleone
The Herald contacted the Prime Minister’s office for comment. A spokesperson said the agenda for the national cabinet meeting was not finalised.
The Herald has been told that Cook is in good spirits and was only suffering from a sore throat. If the NSW government rubber-stamps changes to the COVID rules on Wednesday, Cook is expected out of isolation by Thursday morning.
It will give him 36 hours to prepare for the final round showdown at Allianz Stadium. The Roosters will be without a number of key players themselves.
Lock Victor Radley will be rested after he was knocked out in a sickening collision with Melbourne Storm prop forward Jesse Bromwich on Friday night. The Roosters are hopeful he could be back in time for week one of the finals.
Damien Cook could have his quarantine period reduced and play against the Roosters.Credit:Getty Images
Winger Daniel Tupou was also injured during the game, suffering a groin injury in the first half. The club is expecting he will miss two to three weeks, hopeful that he may be back for the second week of the finals if they are still alive.
Friday night’s game will have significant ramifications on the make-up of the top eight. It is a fitting opening to the new 42,500-seat stadium after three years out of action.
The Rabbitohs have been working behind the scenes for several months trying to secure a deal with Venues NSW to make the new facility their home in 2023. The Rabbitohs are now resigned to the fact they will play the majority of their matches out of Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park next year.
The club is having discussions about potentially playing one home game out of the new facility next year.
The competition schedule will be severely impacted by the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with Allianz Stadium and Accor Stadium to be out of action for the best part of two months in July and August next year.
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