ARLC chairman Peter V’landys has also hit back at claims NRL players should not be getting special treatment when it comes to testing for the coronavirus. V’landys says he is aware the game and its players have been targeted since he announced the NRL had employed a private clinic to do its testing. The game’s chief medical officer, Dr Paul Bloomfield, sourced the lab to do the testing. Loading "We need players to be tested and we need quick results so we can keep teams going," V’landys said. "This is not a handout from the government or an imposition to anyone. It’s a reasonable and safe practice to look after the players and a move to help increase the prospect of everyone staying healthy and being paid. "Let me make it clear, we are not blanket testing, nor are we wasting resources. If a player has the symptoms, we will test them and get results as quickly as we can. This may mean teams are not wiped out of games and this means we can fulfil our contracts with the broadcasters. "More importantly, it also means families of the players are not left to wonder about their situations longer than they need to be. This is a facility that is available to those who can pay for it and we have deemed it essential."

Aussies fear UK cuts Some Australians and New Zealanders playing in the English Super League are fearing for their financial futures as clubs face the real prospect of going bust. Loading There are fears at least three Super League teams could be in serious trouble. With big names such as Sonny Bill Williams, Israel Folau and James Maloney, plus Blake Austin and Jackson Hastings, players could become available for NRL teams if their English clubs can’t pay or, worse, fold. Players have been paid up until now, but some have already told their families they won’t get paid next month. The player with most to lose financially is Williams but he isn’t making it about himself, even though his deal with Toronto Wolfpack is worth $10 million. "This isn’t a time to worry about money, it’s a time to worry about everyone who has been affected by the disease," SBW said. "When it comes to football, my teammates and fellow sportsmen are my main concern."

We asked Wolfpack owner David Argyle if he could guarantee payments to players and the future of his club. He wanted to deal with those questions at a later stage, but said in an email: "Our No.1 responsibility is to ensure the health and wellness ... of our team (players, coaching, support staff, admin, game day, referees, fans and equally importantly our competition clubs and their teams) and to each and every family team member and their loved ones. We have done the math and this is a big number. Our imminent player and immediate subsequent club announcement, on our decision and our reasons, for the best way forward during this pandemic will be based on our No.1 responsibility as stated above." Playing with fire Loading Cameron Smith has had a good run from head office in recent times – think diamond rings, testimonials – but he may get something else from the ARLC, if he hasn’t already: a rocket. Smith’s comments about suspending the NRL season for two weeks went down like a lead balloon with the powers that be. And across the game. Try telling the Panthers they shouldn’t play. They have five leagues clubs and are budgeting for a $23 million loss because of the virus. Penrith have told a range of staff to take annual leave and they are doing their best to avoid having to let people go. Other clubs are doing the same, while staff at NRL HQ fear for their jobs.

Candid Cooper It took Cooper Cronk to break ranks and become the first high-profile Roosters figure to challenge Latrell Mitchell since he left the premiers. Cronk is speaking for players at the club who are less than thrilled Mitchell left during the off-season. Cronk didn’t attack Mitchell, but he is the first former teammate to say anything critical, questioning Mitchell’s commitment to fitness. And that has set up a Roosters-Rabbitohs clash on Friday night worthy of a full house but it sadly won’t get one. Since Mitchell started making noises about wanting to play fullback and wanting more cash, the Roosters have been careful not to publicly criticise him. They have shown him huge respect. Privately, it’s a different story. Some players are far from impressed. Cronk, who is on the Roosters coaching staff, spoke with admirable honesty on Fox Sports during the week. "I’m not happy with Latrell taking time away," he said of Mitchell taking a day off midweek to return to Taree. "I think he should be putting time into getting his body prepped because he needs to have a good one." He didn’t. Mitchell’s effort in the Rabbitohs’ loss to Brisbane on Friday night has been widely criticised. Rabs faces his first screen test He’s the voice of rugby league who’s known for being a bit of a hypochondriac but is far more famous for the commentary that has made him the sound of winter for many. We are talking about Ray "Rabbits" Warren. And right now the great man is scared.

"Not of the virus," the 76-year-old said. "I know I’m in the age bracket [that is most susceptible] and I know what my reputation is. I don’t know why, but with this illness, I’ve actually been OK with that. I did get it wrong when it came to the old-persons’ run for toilet paper. I thought they had a special hour in the evening. I’m asleep at 7am. You won’t get me to the shops at that time." The legendary Ray Warren has been calling sport for more than half a century. Credit:AAP Instead, Warren is fretting about something else altogether that has been brought on by the way the world is changing. "I’ve been calling since 1966 and I have never called a game from a monitor," he said. "And I’m scared about that." Rabs knows the world is full of far greater concerns and certainly isn’t looking for any sympathy because of his professional dilemma, but this is a sports section and we’re trying to lighten the mood, just a bit. Channel Nine, publishers of this paper, won’t let Warren or any commentary team near a ground amid the COVID-19 pandemic and they are operating out of a studio.