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Final round of Super Rugby Aotearoa in doubt after Auckland goes into lockdown
Super Rugby Aotearoa could be hit by coronavirus lockdown restrictions on its final weekend as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that Auckland will go into lockdown and the rest of the country will go into level two.
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The Blues, who have been attracting massive crowds to Eden Park, are due to host confirmed Super Rugby Aotearoa champions Crusaders next Sunday in their final home match, a game that was sold out earlier this week. That fixture comes a day after the Highlanders are scheduled to take on the Hurricanes on the final weekend of the ten-week tournament.
Ardern’s Tuesday night announcement came after four cases of community transmission from the same family were confirmed – after 102 days without any. Ardern and director-general of health Ashley Bloomfield announced the news and an alert was sent to New Zealanders’ phones.
As of noon Wednesday, the New Zealand Herald are reporting that Auckland will move to level 3 for three days until midnight on Friday. The rest of the country will move to alert level two at midday Wednesday – until midnight on Friday.
For Auckland, that means working from home unless you were an essential service worker. The area covered by level three is the Auckland Super City – from Wellsford in the north to Pukekohe in the south. Schools will close unless they had students whose parents were essential workers. Public facilities, bars, restaurants and businesses must also close.
Statement from @NZRugby:
“NZR is currently assessing the impact on rugby following the announcement that Auckland will tomorrow move to Covid-19 Level 3 and the rest of the country to Level 2.
NZR is in close dialogue with Government and an update will be given tomorrow.” pic.twitter.com/ZLKnMyXqqt
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 11, 2020
“We’re asking people in Auckland to stay home to stop the spread,” Ardern said. “Act as if you have Covid, and as though people around you have Covid.”
Pharmacies and supermarkets will remain open, but Ardern said there was no reason to panic-buy. “Please do not rush to the supermarket tonight… there is no reason to rush out and back any purchases this evening. You’ll even be able to get a takeaway coffee.”
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Aucklanders should use a mask if they leave the house to access essential services. The rest of the country should wear a mask in situations where they can’t socially distance.
People who are in Auckland who need to go home to another region can do so but they should keep an eye on their health. There will be more advice Wednesday for these people and those who have recently travelled from Auckland.
Ardern said Aucklanders should keep an eye out for their neighbours. “We have come too far to go backwards. Be strong and be kind. We know what to do because we have successfully done this before.”
She acknowledged Kiwis might now have a sinking feeling but said they should know we had gone the longest of any country and there was a plan being actioned. “My request is not to be dispirited or disheartened.”
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Ardern said it would not be possible to isolate a small part of Auckland, and imposing level 3 on all of Auckland was about taking a precautionary approach. For the rest of the country, mass gatherings will be limited to 100 people.
New Zealand went into level four lockdown on March 25 and moved to level three on April on April 27. It then moved into level two on May 13 and level one on June 9, a few days before the Aotearoa tournament got underway in front of huge crowds at Eden Park and Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Comments on RugbyPass
You know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to comments