Furious footy WAGs are blocked from joining NRL players at luxury Queensland quarantine resort – with the glamorous group desperate to escape Sydney's lockdown
The partners of NRL players who planned to jet to Queensland to join the footy hub away from Sydney's lockdown have been left fuming after they were denied access to the state with less than 48 hours notice.
Players from Sydney-based teams have already travelled to the Sunshine State on Wednesday, with their partners and children scheduled to join them on Saturday.
But the Queensland government has put a halt to the Covid bubble reunion after telling NRL bosses on Thursday they want 'more information' before giving the green light.
The plan had been for the families to spend two weeks in quarantine at two Gold Coast resorts before joining the players in their respective hubs.
Benji Marshall's wife Zoe (pictured together) was expected to travel to Queensland on Saturday
NRL boss Andrew Abdo wrote to the players' partners on Thursday letting them know Queensland had not been granted a travel exemption, The Courier Mail reported.
'It means you will not be travelling as planned on Saturday,' he wrote.
However, he added that the NRL was still actively trying to get them into the state.
'It does not mean you will not be able to reach Queensland. The government would now like more individual information and more information about our quarantine facility and Covid-safe plans before they approve our submission.'
'Over the coming days we will be working day and night to prove the information required on our quarantine arrangements to ensure the Queensland community remain safe and healthy.
Bridget pictured alongside NRL star husband Ben Hunt was also expected to join the NRL Covid bubble in Queensland
A Sunshine Coast bridal party were forced to find accommodation elsewhere after losing their rooms at the Twin Waters Novotel Resort to make way for pampered NRL players
'I can't pretend to know how disappointed you are but you have our word that we will do everything we can to have you in Queensland by the end of next week.'
The Gold Coast is fast becoming the new base of the NRL with the Melbourne Storm also relocating there to avoid their city's snap five-day lockdown announced on Thursday.
Almost 500 players and staff descended on Queensland on Wednesday afternoon, after boarding chartered flights out of NSW and the ACT.
Their stay is tentatively booked for a month, but there is every belief it could last the rest of the season, with Sydney's lockdown being extended until at least July 30.
St George Illawarra star Ben Hunt's family had already taken their Covid tests when they learnt of the brutal halt to their plans.
The wife of South Sydney's Benji Marshall, Zoe, was also supposed to fly to Queensland, as was Parramatta star Reagan Campbell-Gillard's partner Alira Hoskin and Reece Walsh's partner Freda Puru.
It makes the NRL the fifth major domestic competition to be played largely out of hubs in the past year, following the AFL, A-League, BBL and WBBL.
Reece Walsh and partner Fred Puru recently welcome their new baby daughter and were due to be reunited in Queensland
Reagan Campbell-Gillard's partner Alira Hoskin (pictured together, left and right) was also expected to make the trip to the Sunshine State
In almost all cases the sides with sound leadership on and off the field took out the titles, with most also having a strong, younger group free of family stresses.
Likewise, a Melbourne Storm side led by Cameron Smith and Dale Finucane took out last year's NRL crown after four months in a Sunshine Coast hub.
'You need that , that's an expectation. And you will find that players will step up into the roles,' Manly coach Des Hasler said.
'I think it's the experience too. Most squads have a range of experience across their roster and no doubt they will lean on that.'
Hasler has Kangaroos captain and players' union general president Daly Cherry-Evans as his senior leader.
NRL boss Andrew Abdo wrote to the players' partners on Thursday letting them know Queensland had not been granted a travel exemption