The Melbourne Rebels Super W coach was putting the finishing touches on her club team, Melbourne University, for their looming season when the recent bout of COVID-19 hit.

All rugby season plans came to a screaming halt just as Thomas' side was about to commence contact training for their scheduled 10-week season with another two weeks for finals.

"It was a little bit disappointing," Thomas said.

"The club season was about to start, we were actually going to get some rugby and actually play some footy but unfortunately we got the news.

"We knew it was probably coming from the week before with the suburb lockdowns, we knew there was the potential that something like this could happen so we weren't too surprised but very disappointed at the same."

Stage three restrictions in Victoria are expected to be in place until at least mid-August which signals very limited, if any, time on the rugby field.

It also means no training for the time being and Thomas admitted it was difficult keeping players fit and healthy in the meantime.

But the former Wallaroo has found some positives.

"The silver lining for me is we can really get players to focus on what they need to improve and really hone in on their position-specific skills that we probably don't get as much time to focus on in club training or in Super W training," she said.

"That is all we can do; zooms and I do little videos up for the girls in terms of skills I want them to do while they are in isolation."

Although you typically don't associate watching television as beneficial, Thomas has encouraged her players to check out the men's Super Rugby competition to better themselves.

"Now we have got rugby back on Pay TV we can start to watch rugby to build up IQ, knowledge and things like that," she said.

"That is the big thing for women; the ability to watch rugby and watch it from an aspect of their position or an attack and defence perspective because we don't have that natural rugby IQ for those who are new to the game," she said.

"And then watching and doing skills; you don't need anyone to pass the ball, you can pass it against a fence or a pole."

While female rugby players can't play or train, some have opted to head north and play in NSW or Queensland competitions, or have opted for a code switch to the NRL women's tournament.

Thomas believes it is still a positive with players able to continue to develop skills which are transferable back to rugby union.

"I think with different sports coming up and starting any football and any rugby is good because they are getting contact and skills. There are a few girls who have started playing league in Brisbane and Sydney comps and they start this week I think," she said.

Thomas does hope they will get back out on the rugby field this year in some capacity.

"At the end of the day, our focus this year, if we do get on the paddock, is just for fun. Once we get on there, just let them play, have fun and enjoy it, and not be too hard in terms of the technical aspects," she said.