The NZ Warriors will be on a plane to Australia on Sunday to begin preparing for the revised NRL competition after receiving official confirmation that they can travel across the Tasman.
On Saturday, Warriors chief executive Cameron George confirmed to Newshub the club had this morning received the necessary travel exemption to enter Australia from the Australian Border Force, with the federal government sending approval to Auckland.
Approximately 40 players and support staff will depart Auckland Airport on Sunday and fly to Tamworth - over 400km north of Sydney - where they will both isolate and train in build up to the May 28 restart.
"I'm very relieved," he told Newshub. "It's been a long-winded process
"It's been tough on the players and their families so to have that approval is a relief and now our guys can head to Australia."
"There has been lots of speculation, information, and at times lock of importation, so it's been tough for our players and families.
"Now the guys can head to Australia to tackle the 2020 season.
"While we're excited, we're thankful the Australian goverment has let us in."
Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V'landys thanked the federal and state governments for their assistance in allowing the Warriors to travel across the tasman.
"This is an excellent outcome for rugby league and another step towards the competition resuming on May 28," said V'landys.
"I want to thank the Federal and State Governments, in particular Border Force and NSW State Emergency Operation Centre for their assistance in making the Warriors' arrival a reality.
"The club will follow the strictest biosecurity protocols and, like all clubs, will participate in an education day about the protocols on Monday morning."
"As a game we cannot thank the Warriors enough for everything they are doing. Right from the start of this pandemic the club and its players have put the competition first and for that we will be forever thankful."
As it stands the Warriors' will remain in Australia until the season ends, but that could change with the prospect of travel restrictions easing between Australia and New Zealand later in the year.
