Australian rugby players apologise for camping trip during lockdown

MELBOURNE, April 27

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Australian rugby league internationals Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr have apologised for breaching social distancing rules by going camping on Mitchell’s farm in rural New South Wales (NSW) state.

With the National Rugby League (NRL) season suspended due to the coronavirus, the pair camped with Newcastle Knights player Tyronne Roberts-Davis and family members near Taree on NSW’s mid-north coast.

Melbourne Storm winger Addo-Carr posted photos of the trip on social media, including one with the Aboriginal stars gathered by a campfire in a group of 12 people. He later deleted them.

Both South Sydney Rabbitohs centre Mitchell and Addo-Carr apologised in a video posted on social media on Monday.

“Firstly I’d like to apologise for my actions this weekend. Nothing was intentional or deliberate,” Addo-Carr said. “A couple of family members of mine are going through a tough time at the moment.

“I got in contact with Latrell to go out to his private property to connect with our culture again and try and put a smile on their faces and have a bit of fun as well.”

Australia, which has recorded more than 6,700 COVID-19 cases and 83 deaths, has ordered people to stay home with a few exceptions including trips to work or school, buying essential supplies and exercise.

The players face further sanctions from their clubs and the NRL, which said it was investigating the matter. The lockdown breach has embarrassed the NRL which is trying to build trust with authorities before attempting to restart the competition on May 28. — Reuters