Nah sorry, Breakers just posted that on their social media and then the same from the NBL.

I suspected this might happen after they did the dirty on Corey. In Tai's re-signing announcement he specifically mentioned how much he was looking forward to playing with his brother in future.

At the same time NZB must've realised this was a possibility of happening after knifing Corey. I'm not sure losing both Webster brothers was worth it just to get out from the last 2 years of Corey's contract but hey it's Matt Walsh we're talking about here.

Here's the member's email I just received:

Sky Sport Breakers Release Tai Webster by Mutual Consent

The team at the Breakers have agreed to release star guard Tai Webster.

Webster, the breakout star from last season, signed a new two-year contract with the Breakers in July but since then it has become increasingly likely the team will again start the season in Australia due to the Delta outbreak.

The Victorian State Government unveiled its Roadmap out of Covid lockdown yesterday where activities and freedoms will only be available to fully vaccinated people.

Premier Daniel Andrews has ruled out interstate travel occurring at 70 percent vaccination which modelling suggests they will reach on October 26.

It is not until vaccination levels reach 80 percent that interstate travel will be considered and it still will be subject to other state's rules.

The new NBL season is scheduled to start on November 18.

Breakers owner Matt Walsh says he respects Tai Webster’s decision to remain unvaccinated.

"Tai was amazing for us last year and we wish him the absolute best. I fully support each player’s freedom of choice in regards to the vaccine".

“The club will keep the door open for Tai, but unfortunately we are living in extraordinary times and without being vaccinated he will not have freedom of travel which would allow him to play for us this season.”

Breakers will be looking to replace him with an Import ASAP I expect

What a moron

Corey's body is a temple but he smoked synthetic cannabis lol

How many players are vocally anti-vax? I can think of just one that I know for sure (Tai) and another that probably is also although I don't think I've seen any confirmation (Corey). I imagine we'll find out soon enough...

Disheartening to see players are anti lockdown? Let me guess you don't live in VIC.

Most vaccine hesitant NBL players will, much like most vaccine hesitant members of the general public, get vaccinated because of the immediate consequences of resisting.

Webster must feel very strongly about it. I enjoyed watching him play last season, sad to see him go.

Sosa?

@LoveBroker, Édgar Sosa has signed in Egypt with Zamalek. Doubt he will sign back with the Breakers.

The league isn't mandating anything. They even setup replacement players to fill in for guys who don't want to get vaxed. It's the state and nations in the league that will make it impossible for a player to not get vaccinated and still hope to play in the NBL.

Will lose more players then just Tai Webster. I lost respect of this league. Well done Larry and Jeremy whoever are involved!

If Tai Webster got released because he refuses to get vaccinated, then he's an idiot. But at least he’s an idiot who puts his money where his mouth is, I suppose.
After the millions of deaths and hospitalisations worldwide, the lengthy lockdowns everywhere, and more generally the world struggles with covid, it’s really sad to see so many people refusing the jab because "conspiracy“...

Matt Walsh fronted the media on the 6pm sports news here in NZ and said it straight, in this day and age unfortunately as a professional athlete that is required to cross international and state borders for your job you will be required by the authorities that control these territories to be vaccinated.
He said he has no animosity to Tai and his beliefs but as he will be unable to travel without a vaccine passport he will be unable to play for the club moving forward.

At least NZ have an import spot up their sleeve and being as Tai wasn't being paid peanuts hopefully they can find a stud replacement.

Not sure where too now for Tai as many previous posters have said most if not all decent paying leagues will require vaccinations to play and travel.

Did you think it was LK that wanted Game 2 of the 19/20 Grand Finals to be played to an empty stadium hours before the sold out event was due to start?

" My personal view is that no leagues should put any restriction on non-vaccinated players."

NBL have said they won't require mandatory vaccination.

What state govs do is what state govs do.

For NZ - they’re a business - why would they want to pay a player to not play lots of games?

For any business generally - why do they have to take on financial and health/safety risk of their employees decisions?

People can decide what they want to do, but that doesn’t mean decisions don’t have consequences, they always do.

If you don’t want to be vaccinated- fine - but don’t sook if it affects who will employ you.

Tai has lost his job because of his decision. I wonder how his brother Corey will get to Egypt. I'm sure you’ll need to be fully vaccinated to go overseas.

Webster brothers need to man up. New Zealand will be better without them. I watched a few Breakers games at the NBL Cup. The Webster’s are ball hogs and keep getting in foul trouble. Shamir will be able to coach his team which will be good.

Watch out for the Breakers guys.

Many countries around the world are requiring proof of negative test as entry requirement, because there are so many different Vaccines out there and each country has different types of vaccines being administered in their own country. There's actually around 20 Vaccines which have been approved in different countries around the world.

Both Brothers will get a contract somewhere I think, the main hurdle for NZ and Webster just now is that he won't even be allowed in Australia for the start of the season because of our border rules, which are actually one of the narrowest and strictest in the world.

"NBL are kidding themselves. Unless the politics are involved. My personal view is that no leagues should put any restriction on non-vaccinated players. It's the players choice. If most players are vaccinated there shouldn't be a problem for the non-vaccinated."

Thanks for restoring my faith in the stupidity of anons

Should be able to just play home games in NZ...or if bubble returns they be able to travel... 2 most action a minute players. So be sad to lose their talent.. both are borderline super stars who produce excitement.. nothing wrong with shoot first. Mentality. Stop me .. because I backing me. .. attack sick of defensive first mentality that stufflrs offence. In fact find offensive to consider defence is key to success. Team scores most points always wins and you can quote me ...

Bullets 2007 team won because of their high offence.

Oh wow, another day, another Webster breaking contract (though checking Corey's stats, he’s the GOAT in this department). Honestly, NZB better off without these toxic twins (yes anons, I know they’re not literally twins). Disappointed on the amount of cheeseburgers away crowds are going to miss out on.

It's interesting that the saying "my body, my choice" flies out the window as soon as it comes to vaccines. If the vaccine worked someone not being vaccinated wouldn't post a threat to someone who is.

" If the vaccine worked someone not being vaccinated wouldn't post a threat to someone who is."

That statement is wrong - you don't really know how vaccines work do you?

Lots of people who don't understand how vaccines work unfortunately. The information is out there if they want to read it, but I guess the social media experts are considered a more trustworthy source than the SMEs.

Guessing from the response to this thread there's not
much idea of how the player's departure might impact
the team. It was said he is a "shoot 1st shoot 2nd
shoot 3rd" player so will the team require other
players to look for shots more often in order to
fill the remaining void in the offense. If not
curious about how those who might be more informed
about the team would expect the team to evolve after
this roster change.

Doublepost, anyway stats about Tai Webster show
turnover rate increasing over the past 3 seasons,
(2.5 turnovers per game in 18-19, to 3.1 in 19-20, &
3.4 in '21.) That's a statistic sign the team offense
have to do more to improve the player ballhandling
skills. Also in '21 stats like "17.2 ppg" & "4.9
assist per game" reveal the player being a primary
ballhandler & scorer for the team offensively. The
combination of those stats mean there probably wasn't
alot of other players in the offense looking for the
ball that often. I have no real prior knowledge about
this team, just evaluating based on stats.

He was playing PG but also shouldering the scoring load for parts of the season with Patterson unfit and Corey Webster out with his injured hand.
The plan was for him to move to SG this season to lighten his load and to allow him to be more of a scorer with Siva running the offence until it became apparent he wasn't going to be able to travel without a vaccine.
Talk is NZ is trying to replace him with Hopson.