NRL Relocates Dolphins vs Rabbitohs Game Due to Cyclone Alfred

The decision to move the match from Brisbane to Sydney has sparked player withdrawals and family safety concerns.

Cyclone Alfred is forecast to make landfall near Brisbane on Friday, prompting the NRL to relocate the Dolphins' season opener against the Rabbitohs to Sydney's CommBank Stadium.
Three Dolphins players, including Kodi Nikorima, opted out of the game to prioritize family safety, with Nikorima's wife, six months pregnant, criticizing the NRL's decision on social media.
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf supported the players' decisions to stay home, emphasizing individual circumstances and family priorities during the cyclone threat.
The NRL stated that the relocation was necessary due to scheduling constraints, while the Rugby League Players’ Association is reviewing how players were consulted in the decision-making process.
Other teams, including the Brisbane Broncos, have also adjusted travel plans to ensure safety, with clubs providing additional support for players' families during the cyclone.