Darius rules out Sydney move

[Nashy]

Brisbane great Darius Boyd says there is “no chance in hell” he will spend months away from his family and admits he’ll sooner retire than relocate with the Broncos.

The NRL are determined to restart the coronavirus-suspended season on May 28 but non-NSW teams will have to temporarily move to Sydney due to border-crossing restrictions.

Former Queensland and Australia star Boyd told 7NEWS his mental health was more important than extending his illustrious career.

“No chance in hell I could do four months away from my family and that’s something I wouldn’t be ok with,” Boyd said.

“The game of rugby league is very important to a lot of people (but) at the end of the day you’re mental health and wellbeing is a lot more important.

NRL great ‘no chance in hell’ of moving to NSW for season restart

A Broncos veteran says he’ll sooner retire than leave his family as the NRL considers relocating clubs so they can restart the season on May 28.

7news.com.au

 

[Sproj]

Well, Arthars to centre, nice.

But he makes a fair point, it is a big ask for non-Sydney teams.

 

[broncsgoat]

Yeah I’d be the same as Darius on this.

especially since the bloke has had a history of mental issues it could completely cook him.

 

[broncos4life]

Well coming from someone where last year making a tackle was too much of a sacrifice for the game he loves, this isn't surprising.

All good Darbs, thanks for the great career, Arthars to centre.

 

[BroncsFan]

When asked about the potential of a bubble a few weeks ago I think Darius was quoted that 2-3 weeks would be fine, but spending 3-4 months away from family would be too much for him.

I think he has a point and potentially he looks to relocate initially, but if it doesn't look like ending within a couple weeks (ie. relaxation on quarantining between states) or he starts to struggle mentally maybe he heads back to QLD after that.

It's still 6 weeks or so away, but I think the issue may be them wanting to restart the season effectively in Winter... I can't see the govt wanting to relax isolation measures heading straight into winter.

Maybe at the end of June they'll reassess, but potentially the restrictions could be in place throughout winter, which would mean basically 12+ weeks relocated in NSW

 

[upthebroncs]

Can he just retire already? He keeps mentioning it..

If Darius did retire before the season started, would that free up salary cap in order for us to make a signing?.. Possibly a Union player?..

Options could include Quade Cooper, Karmichael Hunt, Ben Te’o or Israel Folau. I’m sure there are more but those are some big names that have a connection to Broncos.

 

[theshed]

Can he just retire already? He keeps mentioning it..

If Darius did retire before the season started, would that free up salary cap in order for us to make a signing?.. Possibly a Union player?..

Options could include Quade Cooper, Karmichael Hunt, Ben Te’o or Israel Folau. I’m sure there are more but those are some big names that have a connection to Broncos.

I wouldn’t want any of those drop kicks near the team and we don’t need any of them.

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

I am not sure the NRL has considered this but why don't the out of nsw teams or just QLD teams play each other first. That adds another 2-5 weeks before interstate travel is needed INTO the biggest covid19 hotbed. Not conferences, just LOGICAL scheduling.
The NRL won't do this of course because this has no benefit to the sydney teams...

 

[Waynesaurus]

The reality is tho, if the players want to get paid then they need to be prepared to do whatever is necessary to get back on the field and the game going again.

The game will survive but the broadcasters, NRL, Clubs, players are all in the same boat, if they all aren't prepared to bend a little, sacrifice a bit and work together then nobody gets paid and some parties may even be lost.

 

[Jedhead]

Play the Broncs, Titans, Cows, Storm, Warriors and Newcastle in a round robin affair out of Lang park for five weeks. Gives you three games over a weekend which the field will cope with I'm sure even though it's renowned for chopping up in winter. Then if they need to re-locate to Sydney it will be for a far shorter period.

 

[Foordy]

Play the Broncs, Titans, Cows, Storm, Warriors and Newcastle in a round robin affair out of Lang park for five weeks. Gives you three games over a weekend which the field will cope with I'm sure even though it's renowned for chopping up in winter. Then if they need to re-locate to Sydney it will be for a far shorter period.

I'm not sure Palachook and her cronies would allow the games to be played in QLD at all

 

[Jedhead]

I'm not sure Palachook and her cronies would allow the games to be played in QLD at all

I'm sure if the out of state teams came here two weeks prior and went into lockdown she'd be ok with that.

 

[Kooly87]

I think if the non NSW teams are forced into isolation then it would only be fair, not just from a sporting perspective, but also for the protection of everyone's health, that all teams enter into the same isolation, go through their quarantine period for a few weeks, then lock the area down and ensure no one comes into contact with the players and staff from outside that bubble. It makes no sense for teams from outside the state to be kept in isolation but then expose them to whatever the local players are getting exposed to as they go about their normal lives at home. A bubble for a number of months is probably the only answer at this stage.

It could unfold that way until say August or September, and be re-evaluated then to see what the state is around the country and whether the 'bubble' needs to be maintained or whether it could then be relaxed.

 

[Kimlo]

I wouldn't move away from my family for 4 months either. Not in total isolation anyway, if he can move his wife and kids down and school is online anyway, he should be sacked for refusing

 

[Renegade]

Can he just retire already? He keeps mentioning it..

If Darius did retire before the season started, would that free up salary cap in order for us to make a signing?.. Possibly a Union player?..

Options could include Quade Cooper, Karmichael Hunt, Ben Te’o or Israel Folau. I’m sure there are more but those are some big names that have a connection to Broncos.

Just frees up cash to keep our current crop, which i think are more than capable.
While I'd like to see Cooper in the NRL, I wouldn't want to see him with us. Think he'll get smashed defensively despite whatever he can bring to the table offensively.

 

[Super Freak]

I'm sure if the out of state teams came here two weeks prior and went into lockdown she'd be ok with that.

She's not. She's made that clear. As far as she's concerned, there's no health advice saying it's safe to restart the comp. She won't allow teams relocating here and won't allow games to be played here.

 

[broncos4life]

She's not. She's made that clear. As far as she's concerned, there's no health advice saying it's safe to restart the comp. She won't allow teams relocating here and won't allow games to be played here.

What is they agreed to use the same measures put in place for the local elections she said had to be held? Possibly infected people standing around and using washed pencils must have been far safer than the strict containment protocols that the NRL would have in place.

 

[Jedhead]

She's not. She's made that clear. As far as she's concerned, there's no health advice saying it's safe to restart the comp. She won't allow teams relocating here and won't allow games to be played here.

Yeh I'm aware of her stance, but once the NRL has sorted out a plan and her chief medical experts agree that the safety of the players are pretty much guaranteed she is locked into to following their recommendations as she has (until now) been touting them as sacrosanct.

People above her payscale will be leaned on to make the comp go ahead, and she'll dutifully get in line when the time comes. She's loving the press briefings at present as it allows her to project the personna of a steadfast leader. At the end of the day she'll let the comp kick off with the proviso that 'if anything puts players at risk I'll put a stop to it'. You watch.