NZ Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck insists the team is determined to make their families and fans proud, when the competition resumes later this month.
On Sunday, Warriors players and management left their families behind for the trip to Tamworth - more than 400km north of Sydney - where the team will isolate and train in build-up to the NRL's May 28 restart.
After the Warriors departed Auckland Airport, heartbreaking images were shared on social media of players farewelling their loved ones, one, particularly Adam Blair, who was snapped by partner Jess giving his son a massive hug.
"That was definitely the tough part, saying goodbye to the family out there in the carpark and seeing my two kids go away," says Tuivasa-Sheck.
"They are at a young age, where they still don't understand what is going on, but we can't use it as an excuse. We are still hungry and want to represent our families, fans and members."
The NRL season was suspended in March, due to the coronavirus pandemic, and tightened travel restrictions between Australia and New Zealand. The Warriors don't know when they will get to see their families again, as they'll likely be based across the Tasman until the season is over in October.
The Australian Border Force and the federal government gave the Warriors exemption to relocate to Australia. After two weeks in Tamworth, they'll relocate to a Central Coast base.
After season-opening losses to the Newcastle Knights (20-0) and Canberra Raiders (20-6), they are more determined than ever to prove doubters wrong.
"We need to sacrifice our families, and go over to Australia and go to work, because that is what everyone wants," says Tuivasa-Sheck.
"So many people have been working behind the scenes to get this going. It is up to us to make the most of this opportunity and keep our eyes on the prize."
Even Warriors coach Stephen Kearney admits it's tough leaving his Auckland home behind.
Since becoming Warriors coach in 2016, Kearney's family has remained based in Brisbane, so he is often alone.
"I don't have family [in New Zealand] here, and I felt sad and not sure when i'll be returning, so I can't imagine how the players with wives and partners will be feeling," says Kearney.
"It is an opportunity for us to be together and work together. We've been told what we can and can't do on the training field, but i'm excited to work with the boys ahead of the restarted season."
Kearney adds there's lots of responsibility on the Warriors' shoulders, due to the exemption they were given to enter Australia.
"I will be giving them a reminder that we're the only professional sports competitions to get up and running, so there is some trailblazing on our part, but also a huge responsibility.
"We can't stuff it up and I don't anticipate the boys doing that, but it's a different world now and rules we have to follow.
"People behind the scenes have worked hard to make this happen and we have to live up to that responsibility to make our fans proud."
Warriors duo Nathaniel Roache and David Fusitu'a were not among the 30 players that travelled to Australia with the team on Sunday.
Roache was ordered to stay home, after failing the medical screening test, while Fusitu'a has delayed his trip for personal reasons, although he hopes to join the team soon.
Some development players have made the trip to Australia, while players who missed one or both of their opening games of the season, including Jazz Tevaga, Agnatious Paasi, Josh Curran, Patrick Herbert, Peta Hiku, and Gerard Beale, are all available when the season resumes.
