Swine Flu quaratines 9 in NRL : Mon Jun 08, 2009 11:10 am
Sydney Bulldogs forward Ben Hannant has tested positive for swine flu and number of other players - including Australia captain Darren Lockyer - from two state clubs are under quarantine.
It has been confirmed that Hannant was diagnosed with the virus on Wednesday June 3 while playing for Queensland in their State of Origin match against New South Wales in Melbourne.
In keeping with Queensland Health regulations, the Brisbane Broncos revealed that six of their players who were on the Origin team with Hannant - including club, state and national captain Lockyer - would be quarantined for 72 hours.
All players have taken Tamiflu medication as a precaution.
The other Brisbane players - Israel Folau, Karmichael Hunt, Sam Thaiday, Justin Hodges and New South Wales half-back Peter Wallace - did not train on Monday.
"We spent three days together in Melbourne and... we'll just have to wait and see," Lockyer said.
"We've heard plenty about it but you don't think about it until it's on your door and all we can do is take all the precautions."
Three Queensland State of Origin players from the North Queensland Cowboys as well as Cowboys coach Neil Henry and fitness advisor Billy Johnstone are also under quarantine, as are Gold Coast Titans forward Ashley Harrison and St George Illawara winger Darius Boyd.
Auckland Warriors captain Steve Price, who played for Queensland in the clash, has also been told to stay away from his club, according to the New Zealand Press Association.