THE Newcastle Knights are preparing for a possible return to full training in 14 days.
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All NRL players have been forced to maintain their strength and fitness levels in isolation since the competition was suspended four weeks ago because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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But after the NRL announced last week that it hoped to re-launch the season on May 28, clubs have been unofficially advised to pencil in Monday, May 4, as the tentative date on which their players can resume training in groups. That will give them at least 24 days to prepare for the third competition round of 2020.
For that plan to become a reality, however, NRL officials will need to be granted government approval.
The NRL's innovation committee is reportedly set to meet with the relevant authorities on Wednesday to request dispensation.
In the meantime, the Knights are proceeding in the hope that they will receive the green light.
Head coach Adam O'Brien has been plotting what is shaping as a second pre-season, to counter a nine-week hiatus between games.
Newcastle's head of physical performance, Balin Cupples, has been providing the squad with a detailed training program for each week of isolation, and he monitors their progress via a GPS app.
"Our trainers and coaches are hoping we can start back up on [May] the fourth, so we all just have to make sure we're fit and healthy for the return date," Knights lock Herman Ese'ese said.
"If it gets pushed back, so be it.
"That's out of our control. We just have to be ready to go, whenever they say it's OK.
"Balin and the staff have been really well organised with the training program each week. They're changing it up. It's probably not as full-on as pre-season, but it's still pretty tough. He's got us running three to four times a week and he can track how much we're doing and the loading that we're doing.
"And then we have pilates on our day off. So it's been a good mixture but I know we're all looking forward to being able to train as a group again."
Newcastle's players have been doing their weights in home gyms and their running sessions in a variety of locations.
For Ese'ese, there is extra urgency to resume the competition because he is off contract at the end of the season.
The 25-year-old Kiwi international was in Newcastle's starting pack for their wins against the Warriors and Wests Tigers.
"I set myself a goal at the start of pre-season to make the starting line-up, and I was able to do that," he said.
"I was just settling into my role, and it's pretty unfortunate what's happening, not just here but around the world.
"I guess it was pretty frustrating for me, personally, being off contract at the end of this year and not knowing what's going to happen.
"All that came to mind, but all I can do now is train hard and stay fit and strong. That's all I can control."
