Rabbitohs-Cowboys clash moved to Newcastle

The NRL has moved Friday night's clash between the Rabbitohs and Cowboys to Newcastle to prevent the visitors from being forced into quarantine.

While Greater Sydney is currently subject to a lockdown in an effort to squash an outbreak of COVID-19, Newcastle remains COVID-free, with Queensland Health determining that the Cowboys could fly in and out of the city without being placed under heavier restrictions on their return home.

Friday night's switch comes after the Cowboys had a local COVID scare to deal with, sending coach Todd Payten and player Griffin Neame into isolation.

While it was initially expected both would have to isolate for 14 days due to their 'close contact' status to a positive case, that status was changed by Queensland Health yesterday after further investigation.

Both Payten and Neame are now out of isolation and have re-joined the squad.

The Cowboys will fly in and fly out of Newcastle on game day, with the kick-off time remaining at 7.55pm (AEST).

The shift away from Stadium Australia will also allow the Rabbitohs to ticket the match, with a crowd of up to 50 per cent of capacity at McDonald Jones Stadium allowed.

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