Just been reading on the Liverpool website about their digital tickets which I believe is the same system we know have.
Their faqs clearly state that the qr code is the back up option if nfc fails or you don't have a compatible device but both options work and you don't need an nfc compatible device.
It also mentions the ticket transferring is through the website with the same principle as ours should be.
Basically someone at safc has ballsed our comms up, you don't need nfc compatability and the qr code is and will always be there as its needed as back up if nfc breaks down.