Blues flanker Tom Robinson has come out against New Zealand's vaccine mandates, denying the unvaccinated the chance to play rugby in the coming season.
In December, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) implemented guidelines across all 26 of its provincial unions that means those who have not received at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will not be able to take part in club competitions, in order to comply with Government restrictions on gathering limits.
NZR has since updates its guidelines to ensure the unvaccinated can still take part in rugby this season, allowing for participation in both 10-a-side and seven-a-side competiton. However, coaches at that level must also be vaccinated.
Children under the age of 12 years and three months are also not required to be vaccinated to participate at any level.
Unvaccinated participants will also face restrictions within changing rooms, limited to a maximum of 25 allowed should someone not have had the vaccine.
Taking to Instagram, 27-year-old Blues flanker Robinson took aim at the mandates and their effect, posting a link to a petition that would see the Government's directives removed.
Robinson was raised in and represents Northland at provincial level. The region has some of the lowest vaccine rates in the country with just 87 percent of the eligible population fully inoculated.
"Looking forward to finally be back playing some footy this year," Robinson writes. "However, unfortunately, due to Govt mandates, not everyone who wants to play rugby in this country is able to.
"For me, this is deeply concerning because of the effects that this is likely to cause on these individuals, especially for my community back home in Northland.
"Rugby has been a massive part of my life. It's taught me the benefits of working hard, and how to work together as a team. It's shown me the mental health benefits of exercising and feeling a part of a team, and enabled me to play alongside people with diverse backgrounds, beliefs and experiences. All Important life lessons that have helped shaped [sic] me into the person I am today.
"To think that people will be denied this experience because of their choice not to get vaccinated is wrong, and that's why I've signed the petition, (which is available through the link in my bio) to repeal the mandates imposed by the Govt."
Robinson adds that he is in favour of the vaccine, but believes personal choice shouldn't impact on someone's desire to take part in rugby.
"I understand the benefits of the vaccine and I can understand people's fear about catching COVID, but surely there are other avenues we can explore, things like returning a rapid antigen test before the team comes together on a Saturday which could ensure everyone can play sport in this country," he continues.
"This post is not about creating an argument about whether you should get the vaccine or not, I believe that's completely up to you.
"It's about addressing concern for people being denied access to play sport in this country, and this is why I encourage you to also sign the petition in my bio."
The Blues and the other five-based New Zealand Super Rugby sides are all currently based in Queenstown to play out the opening weeks of the new competition in an attempt to mitigate the threat of a COVID outbreak forcing postponements or cancellations.
But that plan has already gone awry before the competition even begins on Saturday, with the intended season opener forced to be postponed after an outbreak of COVID-19 in the Moana Pasifika squad.
