The final game of New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa between Auckland Blues and Canterbury Crusaders at Eden Park has been cancelled after the government extended COVID-19 restrictions in the country’s biggest city.
New Zealand announced on Tuesday that it was shutting down Auckland after four new cases of COVID-19 were discovered, following which the Blues had said Sunday’s game could take place only if restrictions were eased.
But New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Friday extended level 3 restrictions imposed on Auckland by another 12 days, until August 26.
“The Blues-Crusaders match scheduled for Sunday in Auckland now cannot take place. From a competition point of view, the match is now considered a draw and both teams will be awarded two points,” a New Zealand Rugby statement said.
All 43,236 tickets had been snapped up for the last game of the domestic championship, which was organised after the wider Super Rugby competition was shut down in March.
“While this news is disappointing, we need to take a step back and be grateful for what we got, what it meant to our players, our sponsors and, most importantly, to our fans,” Blues chief executive Andrew Hore said.
The Crusaders had wrapped up the title with a game to spare on Sunday.
NZR confirmed the Highlanders’ clash with the Wellington Hurricanes will take place as scheduled on Saturday without fans in attendance.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
A decision driven by a significant mortality spike?
Jacko
Guest
Also because NZ was an open country because no cases for over 100 days the players had not been in a bubble like Aus sports teams. This looks like derailing the tests too
Lara
Guest
SR Aotearoa comp may not have it’s final game with a crowd sellout, but as a comp it was a total success story......really enjoyed the games.....thanks.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
There's always the Dunedin game!
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I think I read Eden Park has been commandeered as a testing centre
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Ridiculous ! Overreaction ! Just play without spectators!!!
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Very expected but still very sad. This really puts a big question mark about playing Test rugby in the SH later this year too.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Bummer. Very sorry for our NZ pals to hear that.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
What a shame. This could have been a great spectacle.