A leading vaccinologist thinks New Zealand's avoiding disaster by withdrawing from the Rugby League World Cup in England

It's set down for October and November, but New Zealand and Australia have pulled out concerned out Covid.

NZRL chief executive Greg Peters also says many players aren't keen on being vaccinated.

Auckland University's Helen Petousis-Harris says unvaccinated people shouldn't be leaving the country.

She says the pandemic has a long way to go - and getting vaccinated isn't just to protect yourself - but others, too.