Sporting codes on both sides of the Tasman have been wrong-footed by the New Zealand government’s decision to bar Australians and foreigners well into 2022.
The Super Rugby Pacific fixture faces an overhaul, while the NBL’s New Zealand Breakers and A-Leagues’ two Wellington Phoenix teams face another all-Australia campaign.
On Wednesday, Jacinda Ardern’s government released a long-awaited timetable to dismantle its hard border and quarantine on arrival.
From January 17, Kiwis in Australia will be able to skip quarantine in favour of self-isolation.
From April 30, Australians and other foreigners will be able to the same.
However, the seven-day self-isolation requirement remains – even for NZ citizens – rendering many sporting competitions unworkable.
The changes also mean the women’s ODI Cricket World Cup, staged in March, will be off-limits to foreign fans.
The government is not planning exemptions for sporting teams until there is health advice to support it.
Deputy Prime Minister and Sport Minister Grant Robertson said the government’s commitment to a seven-day isolation period was firm.
“Of course I want the Super Rugby competition to take place but we’re always led by the health advice,” he said.
“The ministry of health’s advice consistently has been not to have shortened isolation time.
“So if sports teams are going to be using (self-isolation) it will be the same length of time.”
A Rugby NZ spokesman said the organisation was “digesting” the changes, while a Phoenix spokesman struck an optimistic note.
“The Phoenix are looking at what today’s government announcement means for the club getting its men’s and women’s teams back home,” the spokesman said.
“The Phoenix are one of a number of teams/sports that are talking to Sport New Zealand about border restrictions and remain hopeful of playing in New Zealand this season.”
The decision won’t affect the Warriors, who have already committed to spending the 2022 NRL campaign in Australia to avoid any uncertainty.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Can I have a tinfoil hat? They look cool. Here’s a fact for you. 90% of beds in NHS ICU are unvaccinated people who are otherwise healthy and under 50s. NHS is falling apart here because of the unvaccinated causing plenty of other deaths to people who can’t access the NHS. The sheer selfishness is mind blowing.
chris
Guest
Exactly right. I did a double take when I heard the dates. wth?
At work
Roar Rookie
Not opening up WA to Australian travelers until the state hits 90% vaccinated for ages 12+, whereas a sensible approach would've been 80% for ages 16+. Even a middle ground of these would've been a reasonable idea... They're not expected to open until Jan/Feb. Even then they'll require vaccinated travelers to show a negative test prior to flying there and then again soon after arrival. Whatever people think of Queenslands Palaszczuk, McGowan is much worse.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Correlation/causation data please scrum. I’ll wait. And please cross reference the data the the century of data gathering on the issue of mask harm. Good luck with that, I’ve worn a mask at work for over 20 years. I know what belongs to a mask, it’s design, it’s effectiveness, it’s protocols, it’s benefits and risks. But sure let’s reference surgeon’s spittle guards in oxygen enhanced theatres and firemen dealing with toxic flames. It’s science.
PeterK
Roar Guru
James in NZ - I was in trouble often in school for asking why? Why was the rule like that, what was the benefit. If there was no reasoning I often disobeyed. When they realized caning me didn't stop it, and if they threatened suspension I said lawsuit so they gave up. An example , first year of high school it was a public school and during winter blazers were mandatory for boys, my family could not afford one so I wore a cheap jacket of colours close to the school ones. Every day I was in trouble in winter. Their first offer of compromise was I did not have wear a blazer but could not wear another jacket instead. I refused to not wear it since I would be cold. Finally they gave up and bought me one every year. If they gave reasoning that was not facile I followed it even if I didn't agree with it on balance giving due credit that at least some benefit was there.
Highlander
Roar Guru
Ken, I have run businesses through Mad Cow in England, Bird Flu in Asia and now Covid in Aus. The only thing I have learned for sure is that there are no 'experts' when we get something new break out.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ I suppose it’s manageable,” Yes, loosehead, of course it is. It’s as manageable as Jacinda’s public narrative. Anything is possible of you throw money at it. And she does throw money at it. Ours.
PeterK
Roar Guru
where is this proof of rebadging? It was a debunked claim on another pill https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-ivermectin-molnupiravir-idUSL1N2R32JP
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
This is gold, James. Thank you.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Peter, an interesting Enquiry would look at the use of language in those articles (eg anti-vaxer is a medical term?), certain phrases (eg ‘experts say’ without references) and the ownership and interests of the media channels. I’m not doing such research. Anyone needing labels and thought curation to make a point is confessing to a lack of data or logic, or both. But I’m grateful for your input. These are the debates we should have seen in public between the Chants, Hazzards on 300-400k ea., and the barred experts, on zip for speaking their minds.
Micko
Roar Rookie
What's McGowan done wrong?
PeterK
Roar Guru
To be fair to WA and Qld they only have 73% double vaccinated rate so that is not high enough as per the modeling.
James in NZ
Roar Rookie
If you go to Indiamart (dot com) there are legions of wholesalers that will post you all sort of C19 packs by the pallet load. None of it will get through our ANZAC borders though. I wouldn't want C19 in my lungs replicating (if you knew you had it), best to nip it in the bud quickly.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Peter, I can see you doing that. :happy: Your record here bravely challenging groupthink is testament. It may be why we agree on so many, but not all, things.
At work
Roar Rookie
The women’s ODI Cricket World Cup should be stripped from NZ, how can you be allowed to host an international tournament but not allow people into your country (without isolating/quarantining)??
James in NZ
Roar Rookie
:happy:
At work
Roar Rookie
Terrible outcome for all NZ based sporting teams that contest cross country leagues. NZ are such a laughing stock, Ardern is worse than McGowan which I wasn't sure was possible.
PeterK
Roar Guru
the miracle in japan was debunked, I looked through the info available. Ivermectin did not do what you claim in japan at all.
At work
Roar Rookie
"but we’re always led by the health advice". No mate, you take on that health advice and then make decisions for what is best for your citizens and residents, and this ain't it. You don't have to blindly follow it...
PeterK
Roar Guru
Pinetree - I don't have an issue choosing not to take the vaccine IF that meant if you did get covid then you were the lowest medical priority in icu and ventilator. If a hospital fills up and a vaccinated person needs the icu or ventilator (for any reason) then you lose it. That is choice with fair consequences. (children excepted). I don't see any need for younger children to be vaccinated unless they have other conditions.