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Only one Super Rugby game will be played behind closed doors this weekend, however a fan lockout for matches played in Australia will commence from Round 8 in response to the coronavirus.
SANZAAR had already confirmed the Round 7 game between the Jaguares and Highlanders this weekend will be played at an empty stadium in Buenos Aires following advice from health officials, however all other matches are currently scheduled to take place in front of fans as originally planned.
Brisbane is scheduled to host a double-header on Saturday, with the Sunwolves-Crusaders game at Suncorp Stadium to be followed by the Queensland Reds against the Bulls.
The game involving the Japan-based Sunwolves had already been moved from its original venue in Tokyo because of the coronavirus lockdown in that city.
Canberra’s GIO Stadium is scheduled to stage the Australian derby between the Brumbies and Waratahs on Sunday.
With the Australian government banning gatherings of 500 people or more from next Monday, all Super Rugby and Super W matches in the country will be closed to fans from that date.
“This is a position that no one in our game wanted to be in, but we have made this decision in line with the Government response to this ongoing global health issue and in the best interests of our players, members and fans,” Rugby AU CEO Raelene Castle said on Friday evening.
“The Prime Minister made it clear in his address to the media this afternoon that the Government’s advice is a staged response to this issue and that by Monday the next stage of their response is to advise against non-essential large gatherings.
“We are confident from this advice that there is no significant or imminent health risk to our athletes or fans for the weekend’s matches. At all times, any decision we make is with the health and welfare of those people front of mind.
“As this situation is evolving constantly, we will continue to review our position on a daily basis.”
With AAP.
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