Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the Government is open to granting NZ Warriors an exemption to travel across the Tasman to resume the NRL season.
On Wednesday, the NRL confirmed it would "definitely" restart its season - which has been suspended since March 24 - on May 28, with teams returning to practice on May 4, but the Warriors still needed permission from the Australian Border Force to enter the country.
Morrison confirms some exemptions have already been granted to international travellers and the Warriors could be next.
"That is an area that I think we can look potentially favourably on," Morrison said. "Provided all the other arrangements are in place regarding public safety."
The Auckland-based side would still need to enter a mandatory two-week quarantine upon arrival.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V'Landys has confirmed he's close to securing a facility on the northern New South Wales coast - believed to be Lennox Head - that would accommodate both team and staff, and allow them to train together, before the NRL officially restarts.
"We're negotiating with the NSW Government to quarantine them in an area of their own," says V'landys. "A sport and recreation facility, where they'll be accommodated and they'll be able to train.
"All the people that service them will also be part of that 14-day isolation, so there's no risk to the community.
"There is one on the northern part of NSW that we're looking at, so we hope to get approval from the Government very shortly."
Morrison adds the State Government would have the final say on the competition's return.
"It's principally a matter for the NSW Government, because, as I understand the proposal, that's where the matches are being played," he says. "They have the health authority over what occurs with that."
Warriors boss Cameron George says the club has yet to sign off on the arrangement and is trying to clarify details, including how long the team are expected to stay in Australia and player salaries.
