The Canterbury Bulldogs have reportedly issued John Asiata a letter of termination due to his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccination.
Despite recently signing a one-year deal with Canterbury, Asiata’s playing future has remained in doubt with the Bulldogs taking on its own mandate for all players.
Nine’s Danny Weidler wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald today that the club last week issued the 28-year-old with a letter of termination over his refusal to get vaccinated.
As it stands, the AFL is the only major sporting organisation in the country to enforce a COVID-19 mandate on players and staff.
While the NRL hasn’t gone down that path, it is expected that state border restrictions as well as travelling to New Zealand will cause headaches for unvaccinated players.
Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton reiterated last week that the club wasn’t interested in allowing any players without the jab.
“We won’t have someone in our squad that can’t fulfil their contractual obligations,” Warburton told the SMH. “And if they can’t fulfil that, then they won’t be there next year.”
Asiata to date has played 138 NRL games between the Cowboys and Broncos since making his debut in 2014.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said earlier this month that the NRL playing group was more than 95 per cent vaccinated heading into next season.
“The clubs have done a terrific job,” Abdo said.
“We’re at well over 95 per cent vaccination rate now across the playing group, which is terrific. Some clubs are at 100 per cent.
“Whilst we haven’t mandated vaccinations, we have been incredibly strong in educating and facilitating as many players as possible getting vaccinated, and the players and clubs have responded.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!