NZR weighing up options for North v South clash following Auckland lockdown
The final match of Super Rugby Aotearoa has been cancelled, the Farah Palmer Cup has been delayed and now it looks like New Zealand’s highly anticipated North Island v South Island clash will also be significantly impacted by the resurgence of COVID-19 in Auckland.
NZ Rugby general manager of professional rugby Chris Lendrum confirmed on Friday that the interisland match is locked in for August 21st – two weeks from today – but that the game may have to be shifted away from Auckland if the current restrictions remain in place.
“Friday is a bit of a drop-dead [date] for us. We’re going to have to make some calls by then and we’ll have to work with the information we have at hand at the time,” Lendrum said.
“If it were to remain at Alert Level 3 in Auckland beyond that date then clearly we couldn’t play the game in Auckland.
“We’ve got to look at contingencies and moving the fixture is absolutely one of them. Then there are some complications around players and management who reside in Auckland and how we get those people out of Auckland. And we’ve got to do that in conjunction with the Government.”
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Many wanted the match to be played at a regional venue but Eden Park, as the largest stadium in New Zealand, was the obvious location in order to bring as many fans as possible through the doors.
While a regional venue is still unlikely, it’s looking increasingly probable that the game will be shifted away from Auckland.
“It’s a possibility it goes to Wellington or elsewhere,” Lendrum told Newstalk on Saturday. “All we know is at the moment Auckland is at Alert Level 3 and that doesn’t allow us to train or play rugby until August 26. That’s only three days before kickoff.
Ledrum also suggested that NZR are more than comfortable with staging a second iteration of Super Rugby Aotearoa next season without any further international involvement – although it wouldn’t be ideal.
“Our strong desire is to have some form of cross-border regional competition operating in 2021, but Covid, as always, is a hurdle and the last 72 hours have demonstrated again what a challenge it is for everybody, with no end in sight.
“Putting it another way, is it a possibility we have to run a domestic-only alternative next year? Yeah, it’s a possibility.”
Comments on RugbyPass
End to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to comments