NSW Blues' preparations for a State of Origin series victory in Brisbane next Sunday could be thrown into disarray after the Queensland government declared Waverley a hotspot.
The local government area in the Sydney's eastern suburbs includes Bondi Beach, Clovelly and Bronte, where several NRL stars live and frequent socially.
In response to a COVID-19 outbreak in the area, Queensland has confirmed anyone arriving in that state from 1am on Saturday who has visited hotspot areas or sites of concern will need an exemption and must go into hotel quarantine.
Investigations are already underway within the NRL and the NSWRL into how the NSW Origin team will be affected, and it's yet to be determined if any Blues stars live in the affected area or have visited recently.
The next consideration would be whether players could be granted an exemption to enter Queensland for game two in nine days time.
It follows confirmation that the Blues' training camp has been shifted from Coogee in Sydney's east to Kingscliff, with the squad to travel to the northern NSW town on Monday morning.
The Blues hope to spend an uninterrupted week in camp in Kingscliff before travelling into Brisbane for the Origin II clash at Suncorp Stadium on June 27.
They're aiming to win at Suncorp Stadium for the first time since game one of 2017 to clinch the series.
Meanwhile, the women's NSW Origin side came into camp in Sydney on Friday for their clash with Queensland on the Sunshine Coast next Friday.
The Blues side is staying in Homebush away from the eastern suburbs, but NSWRL officials are monitoring the situation and are prepared to move the camp north if necessary.
Australian Associated Press
