Round 10 of Super Rugby Aotearoa Compromised Due To Covid

The final round clash between the Blues and the Crusaders in Super Rugby Aotearoa is in doubt after New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that Auckland will go back into Level 3 lockdown restrictions after another outbreak of Covid-19 was identified.

The game, which is scheduled to be held at Eden Park in Auckland, is of little consequence in the overall picture as the Crusaders succeeded in winning the competition already in Round 9 after they despatched the Highlanders. However, the possibility that the spectacle will be called off is a regrettable one from a rugby perspective as it would’ve seen the competitions top two teams pitted against each other for the second time.

If Auckland remains on Level 3 this weekend then the game will not go ahead.

New Zealand Rugby issued the following statement:

"NZR is currently assessing the impact on rugby following the Government announcement that Auckland will tomorrow move to Covid-19 Level 3 and the rest of the country to Level 2.

"NZR is in close and constant dialogue with Government and a further update will be given tomorrow."

The other game in the final round sees the Highlanders take on the Hurricanes in Dunedin and could be played in an empty stadium.