Referees for Monday night's NRL clash between the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park have scrambled their way to the ground, as volcanic ash continues to disrupt sporting teams on flights between Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland.

The Roosters travelled to Melbourne on Sunday, ahead of the match against the Storm, managing to avoid airline cancellations because of ash spreading from Chile's Puyehue volcano.

The five-man refereeing squad for the NRL fixture, including match referees Gavin Badger and Tony de la Heras, was scheduled to fly out of Sydney on Monday morning.

But with flights into Melbourne cancelled, they were forced to find another way to make the 1160-kilometre trip in time for kick-off.

They managed to snare seats on a flight from Sydney to Albury, before driving the remaining 320km to Melbourne in time for the 7pm (AEST) start.

However, the NRL had to cancel the Toyota Cup match, with the Roosters' U-21 team unable to board their flight to Melbourne on Monday.

In Auckland, the Wests Tigers squad will be stuck in New Zealand until at least Tuesday because of the ash-induced chaos, following their win over the Warriors on Sunday.

But Tigers' hooker Robbie Farah had been fast-tracked onto a flight home on Monday night after being told he'd be joining the NSW State of Origin squad as 19th man.

Jacob Lillyman, Queensland's 18th man, also managed to get a flight after earlier being stranded at Auckland airport, and had joined his Maroons' teammates in Coolum.

Some members of the Australian netball team have also secured flights out of Auckland, following their loss to New Zealand on Sunday night.

Brisbane and Perth-based Diamonds' players flew out for their home states on Monday afternoon, while those bound for Sydney and Melbourne were booked on Tuesday night flights.

Volcanic ash also played havoc on Monday with AFL teams, with the Bombers delayed in returning to Melbourne from Perth and the Tigers from Sydney.

Essendon are expected to arrive back in Melbourne on Monday night after securing a flight out of Perth.

Richmond, who only have a six-day turnaround until their next match, have given up on the idea of flying and are making their way from Sydney to Melbourne via bus.

Meanwhile, Brisbane are expected to get home on Monday night after they were delayed in Melbourne following their loss to Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

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