Ex-Leeds Rhinos’ Ryan Hall talks of playing in ‘strange’ NRL COVID-19 restrictions

The former Leeds Rhinos star is starting the second year of his contract with Sydney Roosters.

Although the pandemic has brought a halt to most sports worldwide, and Super League and the Rugby Football League decided on Monday to shut down the domestic game here until April 3, powerbrokers Down Under have taken a different stance.

The NRL campaign began last week unaffected with defending champions Roosters suffering a surprise 20-14 defeat at Penrith Panthers.

In light of Covid-19’s escalation, the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Wednesday a ban on outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people and said it could last at least six months.

In similar circumstances here, the game opted to close down completely but the NRL will push on and play in empty stadiums from this weekend, a decision backed by all 16 clubs.

Speaking exclusively to The Yorkshire Post, Hall said: “I think the players are exactly the same as the rest of the general population; there’s uncertainty and we’re basically watching the news constantly to see what announcements are being made.

“It seems to be changing in such a volatile manner; one day it’s this, then the next day it’s that.

“But at the present time I think we’re all pretty happy that it (the competition) is going ahead.

“Basically we’ve spent all pre-season to get ready for Round One.

“We’re built up to play rugby and we’ve been conditioned all this time for now.

“If we’re not going to play now, I think it would be very morale-deflating if we couldn’t actually get out on the field.

“Most of the world’s sport has completely ceased so I think we are very happy as players as a whole that we still – at the moment – have some games albeit in the unusual circumstances of playing behind closed doors.

“That’s definitely something we have to get used to; playing with no atmosphere. It will be like a training run but obviously it’s not as it counts.

“It will be strange but I think overall in the grand scheme of things player are happy that we do get to play still.”

Back-to-back champions Roosters, who visited the UK last month and defeated Super League champions St Helens in the World Club Challenge, have strict measures in place to help prevent potential spread of the disease.

They have implemented mandatory body temperature testing for every player and staff member that enters its headquarters.

Any person who tests more than the average body temperature of 36-37 degrees will be turned away.

Hall, who scored 231 tries in 328 games for hometown Leeds winning six Grand Finals, added: “We’re up to date on all the routines. We’re washing our hands regularly and we do have our temperatures taken before we enter the building.

“We’re down to a skeleton staff at work and there’s fewer people about but, as far as contact goes, we can’t negate that one.

“It’s part and parcel of our sport and we have to do what we have to do. But I think we’re OK doing that because we’re being so vigilant – things like having our temperatures checked and the guidance we’ve had about not being exposed to it.

“It’s almost like self-isolating at home. We’ve been advised by doctors to stay away from shopping malls, crowded areas and public transport so that when we do come into train we’re good to go, ready for a proper day’s training.”

Hall, of course, is currently on the comeback trail after suffering a dislocated knee playing for Great Britain against New Zealand in November.

He arrived in Sydney at the end of 2018 but was still recovering from ACL surgery and did not make his NRL debut until May.

England’s top scorer with 36 tries in just 38 Tests, Hall made six appearances but then dislocated his knee and missed the club’s run-in to Grand Final glory.

Having suffered the same injury again with the Lions, he underwent surgery but is now closing in on a return.

“It’s all right,” he said.
“The knee feels fine which is great but because I’ve been nursing it while all the lads have been doing pre-season I haven’t been able to bank up much fitness.

“I’m just trying to build a base of fitness so that when I do get on the field I don’t just collapse in a heap and I can actually make an impact.

“I was hoping to have a Reserve Grade game but given that competition is suspended I won’t be able to get that under my belt.”

Meanwhile, Roosters’ ‘home’ game with Manly Sea Eagles will take place in Balmain on Saturday. Hall explained; “We’ve got a fan base up on the Central Coast so initially we planned to take our home game up there to Gosford.

“But given we now have to play behind closed doors there’s no point us driving all the way up there for that so it’s at the Leichhardt Oval instead.”