The Parramatta Eels have been forced to try and contain a boil outbreak at the club in fear of a staph infection spreading throughout the playing roster.
NRL.com understands the Eels called in an infection prevention and control unit on Friday in a bid to prevent a boil epidemic on the eve of their round 20 clash against the high-flying South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday evening.
All players and coaching staff were ordered to undergo a swab test, with three players already impacted by it.
One of those players is believed to be Kirisome Auva'a. It's understood none of the 17 players selected to face the Rabbitohs have been infected or will be forced to withdraw from Saturday's match at ANZ Stadium.
It's understood the Eels' modest demountable training facility, which was originally built as a temporary base when they had to cater for just 25 top grade players, may have contributed to the condition of some of the players.
Approximately 50 people use the NRL facility at North Parramatta. Boils can occur as a result of poor hygiene and is often the result of a germ entering the body through tiny nicks (cuts or hair follicles).
However the Eels are taking every precaution given that in rare cases staph infections can turn deadly if the bacteria invade deeper into the body or enters the bloodstream.