Maybe the likes of Mellor should give up similar topics on social media instead of being demoted from the squad. I know RL is a tough sport and you have to be determined and selfish to succeed but do you really need to be that thick too?

Your being harsh calling players ‘dumb’. Do you know these said players? I’m all for criticism if justified, but don’t think any other human being is ‘dumb’ as we all know different things in life….
I prefer to hear an opinion to be honest and am pleased rugby players do speak their minds at times……

It’s very interesting with the COVID stuff for the new season, with the rules that anyone that doesn’t have the two vaccinations would have to isolate for the ten days, which could make the whole close contact saga worse in our game. It’s been confirmed that two clubs in SL are sitting below 50% in take up of the vaccine.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the RFL bring in something about unvaccinated players not being included in the numbers missing for games and therefore more forfeits.

Think it goes to show with Castleford recently having 16 missing through covid outbreak, they’ll be one of them with a low take up.

I didn't realise uptake was so low in SL. Luke Thompson was apparently holding out but the Bulldogs told players that if they weren't vaccinated they would be considered unable to fulfil their contractual duties and have their contracts terminated and he folded. If we're down to a couple of players you could do something similar, but more than a few won't work. I'd guess trying to educate them would be the only way.

Wow I hadn't read that two clubs were on less than 50% - all I've seen is that the total across the league is around 81%. Which means clubs like us must be very nearly complete to make those averages work.

A 50/50 squad split on such an issue - where the actions of the unvaccinated are having a directly negative impact on the lives and livelihoods of those who have been vaccinated - could be hugely disruptive to the team. As Matt Shaw's recent article noted, "The issue is also causing frustration among some players who have decided to get double or triple jabbed." This is a real test for team cultures and relationships and some will probably come under severe strain.

I would guess it's likely that Wakey are one of those clubs judging by the social media output of some of their players.

The thing that struck me with Trueman on social media isn't necessarily his views, it's how he responded to people challenging him on them. He loves when other players agree with him and they make it look like a boys club. But his reaction to 'ordinary' people is to belittle and mock them. It's pretty embarrassing to see from professional sportsmen and gives an insight to their attitude.

I thought the rules where isolate for 10 days unless you pass a lateral flow test on days 6 and 7, and these rules apply to both fully vaccinated or unvaccinated players? If so would the RL have the power to introduce laws applying differently to unvaccinated players?

If some of the 'ordinary' folk have to same attitude as on here i can hardly blame him. Im not sure calling a player "an uneducated dip " is helpful for example.

Completely agree. Hypocritical at best….

We need top class players of course; but we also need good role models and ambassadors for the club and the sport. I think we’re moving into a phase where we can expect both. Players are in the public eye and their views and communications do reflect on their employer and the sport in general.

Yeah. The perfect example of someone not being able to articulate an argument, so resort to name calling

Cheers Marty, you shall always be my benchmark for posting standards and integrity...caugh.

Tired of having to articulate a counter to absurd conspiracy theories, and using a profile to purport dangerous and false information, to be honest.

Agreed but you would expect higher standards from somebody who coaches junior rugby. Really poor comment from Seth.

That's true for those infected. The potential problem is that an unvaccinated person has to isolate if they've been in close contact regardless of whether they become ill. Which could happen a number of times over the course of a season even if none resulted in infection. There's no similar requirement of those fully vaxed.

Thanks for that.
I didn't realise that was still the case, but if that is still applies at the start of the season, it will cause massive disruption to some squads.

Yup. Massive problems for all if it leads to cancellations. No loans, no furlough this time around. If the crowds aren't flowing through the turnstiles and TV money can't be earned then the losses will be huge. Of course the rules might change but I can imagine in the meantime some of the clubs must be furious with their employees.

Went would they be furious? It’s not compulsory and won’t be a condition of their employment/contract…

He literally gave the reasons in his post.

I don’t see any reasons there to be ‘furious’ with a player……..

Starting to see why you're a fan of Trueman...

Non vaccinated players are currently obliged to follow a different, more rigorous, isolation process if picked up by tracing protocols. They also aren't allowed to play in France. Their actions are wilfully putting themselves out of contention for selection and, most likely, reducing the team's chances of success. It's so far out of kilter with the idea of putting the team first that it's hard not to imagine some fall out within some divided clubs this year when teammates get fed up of this attitude.

Have I said I’m a fan of Trueman? I’m a fan of freedom of speech, informed consent and I respect everybody’s personal health decisions…..
Just think the world needs more tolerance rather than more blame culture……

And that is a nice sentiment. Fact is, when contracts come to be extended or when players seek to test the market their choices/decisions will be taken into consideration and in an already short career there will be financial implications. I hope the likes of Trueman understand that. Anyway on Trueman as a player - very good on his day but dogged by injury and not the most consistent according to the Cas fans I know. At this stage, going purely on his Rugby abilities, I would pass.

Has any club in SL got 100% vaccination take up? Must be a lot of furious clubs in the competition.

Players are entitled to choose, personally i dont understand why people wont get the vaccine, but its everybodys individual choice. It doesnt 100% guarantee you dont catch covid.

If i was a coach or administrator i would try to encourage them to have the vaccine but it doesnt mean they are uneducated dip s and i wouldnt be furious in any way.

As for contract negotiations there was a market for Zak Hardaker after all he had done and been banned for. Trust me on this folks, Trueman wont be blackballed for not putting a needle in his arm.

I think there are some cases where a player might have legitimate reasons to avoid vaccine, but they are few.

The evidence which supports vaccine as an effective protection is overwhelming.

You can bang on about personal choice but one person being more likely to get infected has implications on other people, because you know we don’t just cruise through life with no consideration for our fellow people.

I’m going to call it (in most cases) flat out ignorance not to get vaccinated - some may call it personal choice. But those choices have consequences on the health of other people, on the further spread of disease generally, and on the commercial viability of RL in this case.

It is a fine line and I get the point about blame and judgement too, but IMO our society is way too selfish and selfish people pee me off.