UPDATE: Single Super Rugby game goes behind closed doors before Australian lockout in Round 8

Face palm

The decision was made purely on medical grounds. Their criteria was not to consider the economic costs. It was the politicians job to combine the two views. It is a very narrow, unbalanced, view. The economic analysis is that the economy is being closed down, unless they reverse it and get rid of these ruinous restrictions. Just wait a few months for unemployment and savings to reach devastating proportions. Is the higher increase of deaths from the elderly with serious pre-existing the price to pay for the economic wreckage?

Yes 40 minutes of Manly Storm producing 3 penalties was riviting, whereas the poor Reds fans had to sit through nine mind numbing tries. Thank God indeed.

Yeah, that's not how it works. I made my comment before the season was suspended, and it looks like those educated making the decisions agree.

Fit young men are the ones most likely to be symptom-free. Given they are under constant medical supervision, they are the group that should be exempt from these provisions. We will all be exposed to the virus sooner or later. Similar to all of us having had flu and colds sometime. The under 40 will be 85% symptom free. At the other end the 80+ group with medical problems will suffer much more and have a fatality rate of 15%. Hard to know how much I feel this 15% would have died anyway from flu, and their other problems.

It's not as easy as working out a possible fixture list you don't even know the worst of the virus will hit. The Australian health officials have a rough idea but this changes day to day week to week. So trying to organise flights, hotels, etc for a squad touring rugby players and their support group is a complete waste of time until the all clear is given. Are you not listening to the world health officials? The more we let people socialise together in large and small nunbers the longer we risk the spread.

Great Mark, but I suspect it not that easy to reschedule games. I don't think many of us would realise how much organising it would take, and you need months not weeks to do it. See already Highlanders would get back to NZ from Argentina on say Wednesday? Then 2 weeks of self isolation, before training etc can even begin. And that's only one case. Then it's finding suitable stadiums etc that are free for new format.

The dross that League has become in the last 10 years could never match anything as sublime as the Hurricanes v Chiefs game.

“If the Reds were to move a game away from Suncorp they would still owe stadiums qld the million.” If the grounds get closed to the public, then the Reds still owe the stadium but get no gate or consession takings anyway, so same result as moving it elsewhere really.

exactly I am disappointed there was no will to reschedule and play the season out. NZ teams could tour aust, sa etc all away games in 1 trip, return to nz and have their bye (or even 2 byes) and the isolation would be up. The teams outside of nz would travel to nz have their bye there and be able to play the 2 nz teams they need to and then leave. It would not be impossible, but there was no will. On financiaI grounds the stadiums in aust would be empty so a loss of money there, they may do the same in nz, and argentina. Don't know re SA. However they would still receive the broadcast tv money. Now they don't get that broadcast money so are they worse off? I suspect most of the money is for the rugby championship and Aust in particular would have made a big loss on super rugby with zero crowds. However a very short sighted decision, I suspect super rugby will be canceled completely, the virus is just getting going in the SH. So the new deal for super rugby will be for what has already been offered unless that gets withdrawn, so likely to go to optus and a lot less viewers.

Hodges, Go watch the Broncos then? At least you get your monies -worth? Full Stadium, Fans, Atmosphere, Excitement, Passion, And team what QLD’s actually interest in? “Truth & Nothing but the Truth.“

Gray-Hand, Who in the right mind would want to watch SuperRugby right now? I know for certain, I don’t want to go “Mad “watching this dross!! Thank God for NRL. Not all Saints, but eventually they’ve All meet their” Mecca”.?

Boris still wishes he was back at Eaton for his usual Wednesday Ruggar training with his House Master, House Priest and Rugby selector. Boris had great hands in them days, as he didn’t want to drop the soap or severe repercussions were felt afterwards. That’s where the “double barrelled “ names come from in Rugby Union . Otherwise their Mothers has a big Milk- Round?

You know why ? Most young people migrate to Spain & Europe.

Don’t get me wrong I’d love to see the sides all move away from the big stadiums during the season going back to them for finals and maybe for marquee games. Playing at smaller grounds that are full creates a better environment for both the player and the spectators. Stadiums Queensland won’t however jeopardise the money they make from having the games at their stadiums. They are a business after all and the only thing that matters to them is the money. And remember they get paid the same whether there is a crowd there or not.

While I am aware of the logistical difficulties and contracts like this we are in a crisis and the situation requires serious lateral thinking and adapting. If we are going back to a world of closed borders or massive travel restrictions, and its heading that way as the NZ decision today showed, Lets just see how it pans out. I think some lateral thinking and adaption from us all for the next few months is necessary. Would add that clearly this global health crisis takes priority over whether sporting comps continue.

Unfortunately it’s not that easy. The sides have standing contracts with their stadiums in place. As I understand it, the Reds pay stadiums qld about a million dollars each home game for the use of the stadium and keep the gate and concession takings. If the Reds were to move a game away from Suncorp they would still owe stadiums qld the million.

No official announcement has been made, only in Scotland but an announcement is imminent. I agree regarding what you are saying I was only repeating what the CMO's strategy was. since then everything has changed.

At first glance yes, but with a bit of clever rescheduling it could be worked around if the desire is there. The new arrangements are in place for 16 days, then reassessed. General bye next week, following 2 weeks NZ play some of their home an away games against each other, rest of the comp play a rearranged schedule, reassess in 3 weeks.

Well Super rugby will stop, noone can go to NZ with new travel restrictions, means season over!