Two Australian rugby players to undergo testing for Coronavirus

Rugby Australia has confirmed that two members of the Australian Sevens program will be tested for COVID-19 after showing signs and symptoms associated with the virus.

The two members of the program both self-isolated after experiencing symptoms this weekend. Both had attended the Rugby Australia High Performance centre within its Moore Park headquarters during the past week.

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As a precautionary measure, Rugby Australia headquarters has been closed for two days for an intensive clean. All administrative staff have been advised to work from home, and the Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams will not attend the facility on Monday or Tuesday.

Rugby Australia has implemented a stringent policy with regards to any player or staff member that experiences symptoms associated with the virus. The policy concerns any person who starts to exhibit signs and symptoms of the virus that has recently travelled overseas to any country or has been in direct contact with someone known to have the virus. The person must self-isolate for 14 days and be tested for COVID-19.

Results of the tests are expected to be known within 72 hours.

The news comes as widespread sporting cancellations hit the globe, with two positive tests for NBA players leading to the suspension of the NBA season.

SANZAAR took drastic action to suspend all Super Rugby fixtures after the New Zealand government implemented strict self-isolation rules for entrants to the country, including New Zealand citizens.

“SANZAAR does not take this decision lightly, but after consulting widely with key stakeholders, the SANZAAR Executive Committee has taken the necessary step to cancel the scheduled fixture with the players and team management health and welfare paramount," CEO Andy Marinos stated.

"As stated previously while disappointed to be in this position our priority is to ensure the players currently overseas return home healthy and safely to be with their families.”

After having their match cancelled in Argentina, the Highlanders will be the first New Zealand professional athletes to undergo self-isolation because of the coronavirus threat when they return to New Zealand on Tuesday.

SANZAAR gave just five hours notice when announcing the Jaguares clash with the Highlanders match scheduled for Sunday morning (AEDT) had been cancelled.

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