NZ Warriors boss Cameron George says his players are prepared to subject themselves to more weeks of isolation to be involved in the revamped NRL competition.
On Thursday, the Australian Rugby League Commission gave the green light for the NRL's return on May 28, with the final details on how the competition would run expected to be confirmed later this month.
For the Warriors to take part, they'll need to leave for Australia in the next 10 days, so they can serve their mandatory two-week coronavirus isolation, before taking part in a mini-pre-season, likely starting on May 4.
The players have just finished their mandatory two-week isolation in New Zealand, after arriving home from Australia a fortnight ago.
George instructed his players to "sleep on it", when considering the disruption to their lives, and then consult with the team's leadership group of Blake Green, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Adam Blair and Tohu Harris, who will meet the club boss on Friday.
If they go, they face being away from their families for at least four months, but George said the NRL was investigatng ways to expedite the arrival process, given the extraordinary circumstances.
"If it's May 28, I just want our guys to be a part of it for their own benefit, for our fans to enjoy it and we'll work through all those matters," George said. "If we have to be there earlier, we'll try and get there.
"It will rest upon what exemption or assistance we can get to get through borders, and then what flows on from that, what policies we have to adopt when we get into Australia.
"The NRL is so keen to have us a part of this competition and to their credit, they're doing everything possible to work with us and we'll ramp up those discussions."
The Warrior are still waiting for clearance from Australian and New Zealand Governments that would allow them to travel to Australia.
The NRL said it would continue to work with governments in Queensland, Victoria and New Zealand over what restrictions may look like at the end of May.
"I think we're able to get out of the country," George added. "Finding a flight might be our biggest challenge.
"It's more where you go to and who lets you in, and that's where I think major discussions are happening on the Australian side of the Tasman.
"We are community leaders and we don't expect any sort of special treatment, but I'll leave that to the NRL and we'll work through that.
"But it's certainly one of the questions we need to work through."
