COVID-19 restrictions have disrupted New Zealand’s national rugby and netball competitions, underlining how the health crisis could yet affect trans-Tasman fixtures.
New Zealand Rugby says it wants to complete the domestic Super Rugby Aotearoa competition by playing the final two games this weekend but only if the government lifts coronavirus restrictions imposed on Wednesday.
Netball New Zealand has cancelled the final round of its ANZ Premiership in response to new infections, with all teams awarded two points for a draw this weekend.
That decision was made easier because the draw for the ANZ Premiership finals series, which is slated to start on August 23, had already been locked in.
But the action also reflects NZ’s national approach to curbing community transmission, which had allowed crowds to flock to sporting fixtures.
The Wallabies are expected to enter a hub in New Zealand to get the Rugby Championship rolling, but that could potentially be affected if the current outbreak gets out of control.
Netball Australia and Netball New Zealand had planned on staging a Constellation Cup series after their respective domestic seasons.
Cricket Australia is yet to sign off on men’s and women’s tours of New Zealand in the second half of 2020-21, but New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White indicated earlier this week that both trips had been agreed on.
The New Zealand government imposed a lockdown on Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, and restrictions on the rest of the country on Tuesday.
The restrictions will be reviewed on Friday.
“Decisions like these are never easy,” Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennie Wyllie said.
“Now is the time for us to play our part in keeping the country safe and we will be reviewing future decisions over the coming days.”
The Otago Highlanders are due to host the Wellington Hurricanes in Dunedin on Saturday before the Auckland Blues host the Canterbury Crusaders at a sold-out Eden Park on Sunday.
“It is possible that we could have the game in Dunedin but not a game in Auckland,” New Zealand Rugby’s head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum said.
“We just have to wait until we get the decision from the government.
“We have been in lock step with them all the way through COVID and we trust their advice and will follow it.
“We still have a significant amount of runway available before any possible All Blacks Tests are played.”
Jak
Guest
I see them dying, just like in the US and Brazil. Once winter hits, the Euro's will be dropping like flies and the place will be locked down again.
Carrick Ryan
Roar Rookie
Why not have tests played in Western Australia? both teams will have to Hub beforehand, but you'd possibly get a sold out Optus Stadium again!
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Good to hear you are an Albertian mate. I currently work there in the sport department. Started this year and have quickly learnt why it is such a good school. Is steeped in tradition which is still well maintained but really well balanced with modern learning. I think their sports programme (and this is being slightly biased) is up there with one of the best in NZ. The honours boards are full of exceptional people who have gone on to great things. I am lucky as I am not considered a close contact as do not teach the infected student but am naturally concerned that virus may spread. Yeah rugby is only a game at the end of the day. More important things to worry about unfortunately.
Tissot Time
Guest
Tragic evidence now coming out of China with confirmed second infections in previously infected and recovered Covid patients suggests Immunity diminishes over 6 months so herd immunity may not be the answer. An unpublished study out of NUS here in SG confirms that C19 can can survive on various food stuffs at temperatures down to -20C. This would mean the cool storage cluster origin in AKL would support the frozen fish market cluster outbreak in BJS one month ago. This is a scary beastie. I’m at day 145 of my modified existence here in SG.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Depends where you live.. A country like New Zealand or Australia reletively easy to impose lockdowns, social distancing etc.. Others like South Africa, Brazil, India its completely impossible and herd immunity is the only option.. Simply wasting their time trying a different approach.. So keep things open and at least there is an economy left to feed people.
dean
Guest
covid is still all over Europe but you don't see them stopping for it?
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Understand what you are saying Neutral but I for one believes that accelerating the herd strategy is not the preferable course I like to see NZ take.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Carlin, Mount Albert Grammar was my high school, in those days there were about 1,100 boys, a proud high school who has given the country, leaders and countless sporting greats. In my years there from mid/late 50‘s MAGS were really one of the big three in rugby with AGS and Kings. To learn of a boy contracting the virus there hits a chord. We are all here to share experiences and opinions on rugby but as much as I would like to watch the resurgent Blues play the top of the table Crusaders, it, cancelling that match to me is a small concession to make in the face of the issues and uncertainty, the country faces once again.
CPM
Roar Rookie
It’s unfortunate but yes the likelihood of test matches being played is close to zero with COVID-19 predicted to be around for another year at least. We can’t also realistically expect players to suffer four weeks of quarantine whenever they step off an international flight.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Very very sad news. NZ has been a beacon of hope for many people around the world. But C19 doesn't take any prisoners and has no feelings. It will be around until we have a vaccine combined with widespread herd immunity. Huge decisions loom for NZ now. Is a strict lockdown really the way to go forward?
Carlin
Roar Rookie
I personally cant see The Blues vs Crusaders going ahead given Auckland's situation. It is a big shame as it was sold out even though it is a dead rubber.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Yeah mate it is worrying stuff. Mount Albert Grammar has 3100 students as well. They think the symptoms started while the student was not at school but this virus has hit people before they show symptoms. There was also 13 new cases today which most are linked to that family. Auckland Rugby has already postponed this Saturdays school rugby. While Auckland is in level three the Blues vs Crusaders would not have been possible anyway. I can see Auckland at least going a couple of weeks in level three or even level 4.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Where is the money going to come from to fund 3 additional teams. I don't mean players. I mean the $10M or so it costs to run the professional franchise. That's before you ask how do you find an additional $15M to pay 3 teams were of players. Also very few businesses are able to withstand a 1 in 100 year event. Even the AFL and NRL which had to secure funding and push to get restarted ahead of the rest of society.
Peter
Roar Rookie
Yet another reason why Australia should set up an 8 team national competition. Two teams in both Sydney and Brisbane. One each in Melbourne, Canberra, Perth and take your pick between Adelaide, Townsville or Newcastle. This is the future. Australia's Rugby can no longer afford to rely upon upon 3 tests against the All Blacks each year to sustain itself and the Australian public will not stomach loosing to them for 3 or more times each year either. Australian Rugby relying on the All Blacks as it's cash cow is about as desperate as a University sector relying on Overseas students. One pandemic and the whole damn show has come crashing down.
Jacko
Guest
Cant see any Tests happening this year now. The reignition of C19 in NZ is a real concern as the family have had no contact with any other C19 positive people and they dont know how its been transmitted. If they got it from others it means that its out in the community and has been longer than this family has had it. And if its transmition from a product or package from overseas then that means the spread will be impossible to stop EVER.....
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Normally optimistic but with another person found to be positive at Mt Albert Grammar, a close contact to the family who tested positive on Tuesday, I think is most unlikely that Sunday’s game will go ahead (best case scenario I think would be without fans). I’d love to be wrong for the right reasons but risks just might be too great. Any international games to be played in NZ this year will be riding on tomorrow’s (Friday’s scheduled announcement