Friday evening’s press conference at 4 Pines Park was thrown into disarray after a positive Covid-19 RAT test was found in the venue’s designated press room.
The Parramatta Eels defeated the Manly Sea Eagles 36-20 in Round 21, with winger Maika Sivo scoring a brace for the visitors.
But after the final siren, Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans chose not to hold a post-match press conference after reporters discovered a positive RAT cartridge in the media room.
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Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler’s interview went ahead as planned, but Eels mentor Brad Arthur played it safe and held his press conference in the corridor outside the toilets.
Meanwhile, Parramatta players refused to do interviews after the game to avoid any risk of exposure to the deadly virus.
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News Corp’s Martin Gabor tweeted: “Drama at 4 Pines Park. Positive RAT found in post game press conference room. Des Hasler held his press conference but DCE played it safe. The eels are worried and it looks like their press will be delayed and moved.”
AAP’s Scott Bailey posted: “Absolutely pivotal scenes at Brookvale. Positive RAT cartridge sitting in designated press conference room. None of the reporters in back. DCE chose not to use presser as Brad Arthur left move out and no Eels players spoke as a result.”
The RAT’s positive test was later withdrawn by an NRL official. It is still unclear where the cartridge came from.
It was a back-and-forth game at 4 Pines Park on Friday, with Manly leading 20-14 at the break.
But the Eels’ fightback got off to a spectacular start when winger Waqa Blake, playing his 150th game, dived in the corner to score a stunning try in the 55th minute.
Latching on to a perfectly-timed pass from young teammate Jakob Arthur, the Eels shuttler pounced and somehow managed to knee the ball inches from the turf into contact.
It proved to be the turning point for the Eels, who scored three late tries to blow away the Sea Eagles and leave Manly’s season on life support.
“That was a great moment, wasn’t it?” Eels coach Arthur told reporters after the 16-point win.
“It really got us into the hunt. It’s also good for Jake’s confidence.
“Very happy for Waqa, he’s the type of player who doesn’t get a lot of accolades, but he just competes in every competition for us. He’s had some injuries over the last couple of years, but he’s always working harder to get back on the field.”
With four games remaining in the regular season, the Sea Eagles are now four points off the top eight in 10th place on the NRL ladder, while the Eels have moved up to fifth place with 28 competition points.