Conflict is arising as the Warriors prepare for another season away from home, even with officials saying otherwise, theย Sydney Morning Heraldย reports.

ARL Commission chairman Peter Vโ€™landys is optimistic of the fact that Australia and New Zealand will be able to create a travel bubble before the 2021 season commences, but Warriors chief executive Cameron George isn't confident on the proposal.

The Warriors resided in Terrigal for half of last year due to the travel bubble placed on the players at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Warriors, this year, are scheduled to play in Terrigal, NSW, for the first four rounds before returning to New Zealand in Round 5, yet the Warriors are not liking the chances of their return.

โ€œWe left New Zealand on the 3rd of May last year and we were told the borders were going to be open by the end of May. So donโ€™t sit here in February, a year later, still thinking, โ€˜Oh theyโ€™ll be right, the borders are going to be openโ€™,โ€ George toldย The Sydney Morning Herald.ย 

โ€œWeโ€™ve set ourselves up to prepare that itโ€™s not happening. Anything before that is a bonus... We havenโ€™t played there [Mt Smart Stadium] since August 2019. Thatโ€™s 19, not 2020.

โ€œWe are praying for it. We want to go home but the reality it is we are not letting it worry us because we canโ€™t afford to sit here and listen to the news every day of the week. The problem is you donโ€™t unpack your bags."

Vโ€™landys is expecting a travel bubble between the two countries to come into effect in a matter of a few days after borders were re-shut for 72 hours following a positive case in New Zealand over a week ago.

However, the main concern is the mandatory quarantine required to return back to New Zealand, something that will hinder the Warriors return.

โ€œ I am confident that will happen,โ€ Vโ€™landys said. โ€œOnce New Zealand extinguish this one [case], which theyโ€™ve done so well in the past, there will be a travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand.โ€

โ€œThereโ€™s already [a bubble] coming from New Zealand, itโ€™s going back to New Zealand thatโ€™s the issue,โ€ Vโ€™landys said.

โ€œAll weโ€™ve got to have is for New Zealand to reciprocate it, which I am sure they will.โ€

Vโ€™landys has also told the Sydney Morning Herald last week that he will be pressing for NRL players to become a priority in the vaccination process, advocating for player to get the jab after health care workers and the elderly.

This will put them in the third roll out of the vaccine with half a million other critical and high-risk workers to ensure their safety as well as the fans.