![\"Australia](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/15CF3\/production\/_119413398_gettyimages-884406888.jpg\")
<\/span><\/span>Australia and New Zealand have pulled out of the Rugby League World Cup because of “player welfare and safety concerns” related to Covid-19.<\/span><\/p>\n The men’s, women’s and wheelchair events are scheduled to take place in England this autumn.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) and New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) have asked organisers if it can be rescheduled for 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n NZRL chief Greg Peters said it was “simply too unsafe” to take part.<\/span><\/p>\n “The safety and wellbeing of our people is the main priority, and unfortunately, that cannot be guaranteed to our satisfaction.<\/span><\/p>\n “There are stark differences between how the pandemic is being managed in the UK compared to Australasia, and recent developments have highlighted how quickly things can change.<\/span><\/p>\n “The tournament organisers have moved heaven and earth to make this work, so it is not an easy decision, but the Covid-19 situation in the UK shows no sign of improving, and it’s simply too unsafe to send teams and staff over.” <\/span><\/p>\n ARLC chairman Peter V’landys added: “Not participating in this year’s World Cup is not a decision the commission has taken lightly, but we must put the best interests of our players and officials first. Protecting them is our absolute priority.<\/span><\/p>\n “In the current environment, the risks to the safety, health and wellbeing of the players and officials travelling from Australia to participate in the tournament this year are insurmountable.<\/span><\/p>\n “We have again requested the IRL and Rugby League World Cup consider postponing the event until 2022 to enable all players to participate.”<\/span><\/p>\n About half of Australia’s population has been <\/span>placed back into lockdown<\/span><\/a> following a spike in Covid-19 cases, with stay-at-home orders now in place in South Australia, Victoria and parts of New South Wales.<\/span><\/p>\n That is in sharp contrast to England, with the majority of coronavirus restrictions now lifted.<\/span><\/p>\n Organisers only confirmed that the tournament would go ahead <\/span>earlier this month<\/span><\/a>, although Australia, the holders and 11-time winners, did not sign the participation agreement. <\/span><\/p>\n One of the issues previously raised is Covid-19 regulations and quarantine rules for players and staff travelling back to Australia and New Zealand.<\/span><\/p>\n Australia’s borders are currently closed, so anyone returning has to spend 14 days in government-managed quarantine.<\/span><\/p>\n There are reports that Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) teams want the tournament <\/span>postponed to next year<\/span>