Entire Roosters Squad Sent For COVID Tests After Outbreak In Sydney

The NRL's Magic Round in Brisbane has been thrown into question after it was revealed that the entire Roosters squad had been sent to get COVID-19 tests following the recent outbreak in Sydney's east.

It's understood the Eastern Suburbs man who originally tested positive for coronavirus visited the Azure Cafe at Moore Park where the Roosters' head offices and training facilities are.

"NRL being proactive re COVID case in Sydney's east," Nine's rugby league reporter Danny Weidler tweeted.

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"Roosters players movements currently being traced by the club. And any players or staff identified as attending the venues at the nominated times will not be permitted to rejoin the group."

He added: "It's understood Roosters players were sent home early on Monday morning by coach Trent Robinson after an emotional weekend. The players did media at 8.30 am. The person with COVID was at Azure Cafe at 12.30-1. Players will be COVID tested."

And with the NRL's head offices in the same vicinity, staff members there were also spoken to regarding the outbreak.

Weidler tweeted: "NRL staff will be contacted to determine their movements. Azure cafe a regular coffee spot for many who work at head office."

At the moment, it's only the Roosters players who are currently under COVID watch.

But while no other NRL team seems impacted at this point, the Sydney outbreak still casts doubt over the upcoming Magic Round in Queensland.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has just announced new coronavirus restrictions in response to a second local case, but rugby league fans now face the nervous wait to see what Queensland's Premier will do.

US Department of Defense

Annastacia Palaszczuk has never shied away from closing borders in the past in a bid to halt the spread, and she could very well do the same in this case too.

If borders were to shut or compulsory quarantines were to be re-introduced, then that could threaten Magic Round altogether.

Topics: Covid 19, nrl news, Coronavirus, Rugby League, nrl, Australia, Sydney Roosters

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry