The Virtual Terrace • 'I won't be bullied': Bryce Cartwright refuses NRL flu shot

Unfazed by criticism, Gold Coast star Bryce Cartwright says he will not be bullied into getting a flu shot after Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for the NRL to adopt a “no jab, no play” approach.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys is set to enter talks with the RLPA in the hope of encouraging players to vaccinate after Cartwright polarised the rugby league community with his stance.

Cartwright has refused a flu shot which is part of the NRL’s strict biosecurity protocols in order to restart the competition next month following the coronavirus shutdown.

It prompted even Morrison to weigh in, saying the NRL should enforce a “no jab, no play” policy that would ensure players who rejected vaccination are suspended from competing.

But Cartwright has dug his heels in, saying it would be “coercion” if he was forced to get a jab against his wishes and claimed he was not the only player in the NRL to refuse vaccination.