“We will do our best to minimise disruption,but when you have 35,000 cases a day you’re not going to be immune to it,” V’landys said. “March is a long way away and hopefully things will look a lot better then.

“We are confident we have systems in place that will allow us to continue to play while these infections are occurring. We’ve proven that in racing at the moment.

I’m confident we’ll have a system in place which will enable us to play the games

Peter V’landys

“We introduced rapid antigen tests six months ago and were one of the first ones to do it. The system has worked perfectly and even[on Wednesday] we’ve got jockeys who are positive,and they haven’t infected anyone else.

“We will do everything in our power for the game not to be disrupted. I’m confident we’ll have a system in place which will enable us to play the games.”

The Panthers have been among the worst affected and issued a statement on Wednesday claiming a “significant number” would be quarantining when training resumes,while more than a dozen Dragons players and staff have been diagnosed as positive cases.

The Eels,Tigers,Bulldogs and Sharks will also have disruptions with positive cases among players and staff on their Apollo register.

The NRL managed to complete the 2020 and 2021 competition without a single COVID-19 case.

Every player will take a rapid test each day upon entering training in a bid to curb any outbreaks within a playing group.

Multiple club officials spoken to by theHerald on Wednesday said the fact the virus had swept through playing rosters might not be such a bad thing given infected persons will develop a level of immunity for several months.

And now the NRL will have to weigh up whether the All-Stars clash and trial matches should proceed given the disruption to pre-season conditioning.

Players have already beenbanned from attending all indoor venues in public such as pubs,clubs and cinemas and are only allowed to have 10 visitors to their household,all of whom must provide a negative rapid test beforehand and stay outdoors.

Unvaccinated players - of which there are fewer than 10 in the NRL - will have segregated eating and bathroom areas at training facilities,won’t be allowed any visitors to their home and must train alone in public away from club activities.

“Players have shown their frustration publicly[with the protocols] and the RLPA is looking to put forward players’ concerns and ask for restrictions to be relaxed given they’re out of line with state and federal rules,” players’ union boss Clint Newton said. “The players want to be included up front.

“We will be running at a significant risk to our people,both club staff charged with the responsibility of managing all this,as well as players and staff,for compliance for a third year in a row. It’s going to take a toll and that’s a real concern we have. I would suggest it’s far from sustainable.”

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