Rugby League World Cup: Kiwis officially withdraw alongside Kangaroos, citing player welfare and safety concerns

Stuff sports reporters

20:10, Jul 22 2021

Neither the Kiwis nor the Kangaroos will contest

the 2021 Rugby League World Cup

but disappointed organisers are refusing to rule out the tournament still going ahead.

New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) and the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) have jointly confirmed they will not send teams to the tournament in England, citing player welfare and safety concerns.

The NZRL and ARLC informed the International Rugby League (IRL) and Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) of their decision on Thursday.

Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

The Kiwis perform their Haka prior to their last test match in Christchurch at the end of the 2019 season.

ARLC and NZRL have again requested the tournament be postponed until 2022 to minimise the risk of players contracting Covid-19 and ensure the best outcome for player wellbeing.

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Organisers confirmed, last week, that the tournament would go ahead as planned at the end of the NRL and Super League seasons

but both New Zealand and Australia’s participation appeared doubtful at best.

The Kiwis and Kangaroos would have sent severely depleted teams with both sides facing the possibility of having several star players unavailable.

Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images

Kiwis utility Kodi Nikorima was one of the first players to indicate he wouldn’t be available but many more were expected to follow.

RLWC has been quick to voice its displeasure at the decision.

“RLWC2021 note the disappointing statement made by the ARLC and NZRL which may have wide ranging implications for international Rugby League,” organisers said in a statement.

“RLWC2021 were informed at very short notice and will continue discussions with all stakeholders to agree on the best way forward.”

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys

said not participating was a tough decision for the Commission to make but player wellbeing and safety must come first.

“We must put the best interests of our players and officials first. Protecting them is our absolute priority,’’ V’landys said.

Jason McCawley/Getty Images

The New Zealand Kiwis will not contest the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England.

In a joint statement, the ARLC and NZRL said the decision to withdraw comes after considering the risk of Covid-19 infection in the United Kingdom, the worsening environment in Australia plus the amount of time NRL players will spend away from home under strict biosecurity conditions prior to the World Cup.

“In the current environment, the risks to the safety, health and wellbeing of the players and officials travelling from Australia to participate in the tournament this year are insurmountable,” V’landys said.

“The majority of NRL players are currently living away from home under difficult biosecurity protocols. They would then be required to remain under protocols and away from home for the duration of the tournament before again quarantining on return to Australia. This is too much to ask our players and officials to do.”

Warriors coach Nathan Brown

and chief executive Cameron George, along with several other NRL coaches and officials, have already called for the tournament to be postponed.

Kiwis captain and mid-season Warriors signing

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak also highlighted his doubts about the tournament going ahead

, when speaking to

Stuff

recently.

Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Shaun Johnson and the Kiwis will not contest the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

“To be honest, I can’t see it this year going ahead, just because of not only football, but the way the world is going at the moment,” he said.

“It’s pretty crazy times and football should be the last thing on people’s minds.”

NZRL chief executive Greg Peters said the decision to withdraw was in the best interests of players and officials.

“The safety and wellbeing of our people is the main priority, and unfortunately, that cannot be guaranteed to our satisfaction,” he said.

“There are stark differences between how the pandemic is being managed in the UK compared to Australasia and recent developments have highlighted how quickly things can change.

“The tournament organisers have moved heaven and earth to make this work, so it is not an easy decision, but the Covid-19 situation in the UK shows no sign of improving, and it's simply too unsafe to send teams and staff over.

“We understand how disappointing this is for fans and those involved; however player and staff safety remains paramount,” Peters said.