Nasheed here,
Thought I would chime in just to deliver a dose of reality. I am a very well respected member of this forum and have spent two years building my credibility here, so you can rest assured my words are like weapons and carry punch.
the reality is Thommo probably does want to come to Australia early. It's his future, and everyone in England has Covid 19. Big chance he has had it himself. So if anyone suggests that Thommo does want to play in the NRL early, the most likely answer is yes.
that's not the issue though.
it's our border. We are corona free as of May because of our borders. We aare finally starting to keep the third world out of our shores, but this also includes Europe and ESPECIALLY the UK, who as mentioned, are struggling with the virus.
the short of it is Thompson can't come legally. And because of his profile, he can't slip Mohammed 2 grand and come via boat in the NT like the rest of them. Questions will be asked the moment he rocks up in the jumper. He needs to do this legally. He can't.
Because of the UKs issues, I simply cannot see Australia opening the border at all apart from safer countries like NZ this year, let alone a problem area.
I'd be amazed if they opened it to Europe at all and would be absolutely shocked if we let the UK in.
he needs to prove himself to be Australian via quarantine. Doubt that can happen.
I can't see a situation where he comes in on a work permit from abroad and they bend the rules for him.
The only 1% hope is certain professions are considered exempt (such as virus doctors) and somehow nrl players and sporting stars are included in this.
The fact It was pre arranged would help, but we are t taking foreigners atm.