Canberra Raiders players and staff are in isolation after two staff members tested positive to COVID-19.
On Thursday, the team confirmed that the squad was in isolation and undertaking COVID-19 tests after one staff member tested positive for the virus.
On Friday, it was announced there had been another COVID case at the Canberra Raiders, with another member of the football staff testing positive.
The news of the cases came as the Canberra Capitals, the territory's WNBL team, were released from quarantine after a squad member tested positive for the virus last week.
The exposure led to the postponement of last Sunday's game between the Capitals and the Sydney Uni Flames, which would have been the team's first game on home soil in more than 600 days.
Entire playing squad in isolation
The Canberra Raiders were coming to the end of their preseason training when the first positive case was identified.
In a statement, the team confirmed a staff member tested positive to the virus, but did not reveal the extent of their contact with players.
"The Canberra Raiders can confirm a member of the club's football staff has tested positive for COVID-19," a spokesperson said.
Canberra Raiders CEO Don Furner said a staff member had travelled through Newcastle at the weekend and returned a positive test after developing symptoms.
The staff member was fully vaccinated.
On Friday, when the second case was confirmed, the team said all players and staff would remain in isolation for seven days, having be deemed close contacts, and be tested again on day six.
The club has now cancelled the rest of pre-season training for the year, and will return on January 5.
The Raiders are the second NRL club to be affected by the virus. On Monday, the Newcastle Knights playing group underwent precautionary testing after an increase in local infections.
The Canberra Raiders are one of a handful of NRL clubs that have unvaccinated players.
