The 2020 Super Rugby season will be suspended indefinitely after Sunday afternoon.
Ongoing concerns over the spread of the coronavirus, as well as the New Zealand government’s decision to instigate a mandatory self-isolation period for anyone entering the country after midnight on Sunday, forced governing body SANZAAR’s hand.
The scheduled match between the Brumbies and Waratahs on Sunday afternoon in Canberra will still go ahead. However, the match between the Jaguares and Highlanders in Buenos Aires, which was originally to be played behind closed doors, has been cancelled.
“The safety and welfare of the public, our players and other stakeholders is paramount and as previously stated we were always going to abide by government and health authority instructions on the issue of COVID-19 containment,” SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos said in a statement.
“We are extremely disappointed for the players, our fans, broadcasters and partners but given the complexity of our competition structure, and the multiple geographies that we cover, we have no other option but to align with such directives.”
It’s the first major sporting competition in Australia to be outright suspended, with rival codes the AFL, NRL and A-League all announcing that scheduled matches will be continuing. However, the former two will see matches after this weekend played without crowds, amid fears it would contribute to spreading the diseease.
The New Zealand initiative, announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Saturday, meant any Super Rugby team arriving in the country from Monday, March 16 onward, would be forced to self-isolate for two weeks. This ended the possibility that any teams travelling from South Africa, Australia or Japan would be able to play their scheduled matches.
The Highlanders will become the first Super Rugby side to be required to isolate, after they announced they wouldn’t be leaving Buenos Aires until Tuesday – well after the country’s lockdown begins.
The news follows SANZAAR’s decision to reschedule or postpone several games involving the Sunwolves in recent weeks, as the coronavirus pandemic is dealt with in Japan.
Marinos has also left the possibility open for some form of rugby to be played while the major competition is on standby, despite the current situation.
“SANZAAR will also remain engaged with its stakeholders and will continue to explore avenues to see if we can keep the rugby product alive within our core markets, with the possibility to be in a position to resume the tournament if at all possible in future weeks,” he said.
Prior to SANZAAR’s announcement, Rugby Australia had announced that games from Round 8 onward would be played behind closed doors.
soapit
Roar Guru
See responses above uncle
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Not many flights now, domestically or international.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Not if your workplace has scrums, rucks and lots of close contact soapit.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
'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'. Not really possible PeterK given that the NZ government has imposed a mandatory two week quarantine on all arrivals. Under the circumstances it would appear that the SR season is done and dusted.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Ok Peter, must be my bad, I was under the impression it can only be passed by contact, and can't be passed by air!
Drew
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't even mind some double headers with the Super A teams also getting some air time.
Drew
Roar Rookie
I can understand that somewhat with regards to turf management, but many should be able to handle more than one game and it's not like there is any of the other aspects to consider - ie. cleanup etc.. as it's just players no general public.
PeterK
Roar Guru
the virus is airborne and so people sharing offices with aircon blowing it around and sitting with them for 40 hrs a week are more likely to get infected IMO.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
C,mon Peter, in which workplace do you know where the workers are actually in contact with each other like a game of rugby? And the virus has a 2 week incubation when it can be passed on with person showing no signs, I think safety first has to come into play.
Nick
Roar Guru
? You're not being asked to spend the next 5-6 weeks a plane ride (If indeed flights can even happen) away from your family simply because two men are worried about the economics of not running a football comp.
Johnb
Guest
Any piece including the words "Marsh" and "cricket" would help.
PeterK
Roar Guru
the fatality rates Mers - 34% Sars - 9.5% CV-19 - 2% Flu - 0.1% CV-19 is more infectious hence more deaths in total and why the harsher restrictions now.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Ok, I thought this Corona Virus was far worse judging by the chaos and deaths in China over the past few months.
PeterK
Roar Guru
sure but then on that basis every single worker who comes into contact with others should not go to work since keeping their families safe is more important than the job they are doing. The only exceptions would be jobs that save lives.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Fox - Foxtel are in a hole. They decreased their offer and then withdrew it for rights next year onwards. If it looks like Optus would win rights why on earth would they pay for matches this year. Since these are government decisions the onus is on the government to recompense the sports organisations not companies where the product has not been supplied and yet they are expected to keep paying.
PeterK
Roar Guru
because it would have been seen as a total over reaction. They were second in the world to do it (effectively the same time). Remember it was not necessary with more deadly diseases SARS and MERS.
PeterK
Roar Guru
UK is going for herd immunity from what I have read
soapit
Roar Guru
yeah we're all just trying to figure it out. will be having a chat to my employer this morning for sure.
Wallsy
Roar Rookie
That's what is happening here in London... admittedly I work in the 'knowledge sector' but the one confirmed case I am personally aware of has resulted in an eight storey building being shut down (including the London office of South32).
Kick n Clap
Guest
Who’s interested in “Phil” and who is actually really interested In Super Rugby ? Answers on a Post Card to the “Halloween Queen“?