New Zealand Rugby is comfortable with Dunedin’s Super Rugby Aotearoa match proceeding on Saturday night, even if they have to cancel the sold out finale at Auckland’s Eden Park.
As it stands under the respective Covid-19 alert levels, Saturday’s Highlanders v Hurricanes match at Forsyth Barr Stadium (7.05pm) can be played in an empty stadium while the Blues v Crusaders the following day (3.35pm) would be off.
Auckland went into Alert Level 3 on Wednesday and the rest of the country into Alert Level 2, which permits gatherings of up to 100 people and would allow a game, albeit closed to spectators.
NZR’s general manager professional rugby, Chris Lendrum, said playing one but not the other would be acceptable, but they were awaiting the Government’s update on alert levels on Friday before making a decision. It seems unlikely, but a shift to Level 2 in Auckland is the only way Sunday’s match will happen.
“The position is, under Alert Level 3, the [Auckland] city is closed down. In essence, certainly for rugby, yes,” Lendrum said.
“There are many contingencies and options on the table and the split alert level adds a different complexion to things.
“It is possible that could happen, a game in Dunedin but not a game in Auckland. We’ll see what hand the Government deals us, we trust their advice and we’ll follow it.”
All four Super Rugby sides with matches this weekend stood down from training on Wednesday, Lendrum said, as NZR explored its options.
The Hurricanes, for one, are training in Wellington on Thursday in anticipation of travelling to Dunedin the following day, and will put up coach Jason Holland and announce their team as planned at 2pm. They chase a sixth straight win but can’t overhaul the Crusaders.
Asked why, with the Crusaders already having clinched the title, they wouldn’t simply cancel the final round given the Covid-19 uncertainty, Lendrum said: “Everybody involved with the game – players, teams, fans – wants rugby to go ahead this weekend.
