NEW ZEALAND’S SUPER Rugby teams will kick-off a 10-week domestic fixture schedule next month, while Australian sides will reportedly follow suit in July.
The New Zealand government last week downgraded their Covid-19 alert level and the move has prompted tournament organisers to announce Super Rugby Aotearoa, kicking off from 13 June in closed stadiums.
Measures to limit Coronavirus spreading will include a daily check on players, management and officials for symptoms and earlier kick-off times to facilitate teams returning to their home base on the night of the match.
With two matches set for each weekend, Saturday fixtures will kick off at 17.05 (06.05 Irish time) and Sunday games will get under way at 15.05 (04.05 Irish time). First up will be Highlanders v Chiefs in Dunedin.
“A major factor,” adds New Zealand Rugby medical manager Karen Rasmussen, “will be ensuring we control who enters the team bubbles and that we have necessary measures in place to mitigate against any risk to the health of all team members, as well as the health of their families and the wider community.
“Team members will be asked to minimise their contacts outside of the team environment and their family bubbles.”
Reports in Australia say their governing body is set to follow suit with a domestic competition to include Western Force (who were chopped from Super Rugby before the 2018 season). ABC report that the Sunwolves (who were due to be cut from Super Rugby this year) may also join the Waratahs, Brumbies, Rebels and Reds if the Japanese side are based in Australia for the duration of the tournament mooted to begin in July.
Back in New Zealand, the Super Rugby schedule as allowed the NZRU to plan further into the year, with the regional Mitre 10 competition slated to start on 11 September.
We could certainly be doing with a Ferris or two in the green jersey nowadays. One of the best ever to wear the jersey. Pity career ended prematurely. I do enjoy him on the punditry. Very honest.
@Ray Ridge: So powerful, quality player indeed, thought he started his punditry on the bitter side, taken some time for the competitor in him to fade a little, he’s decent enough now tho in fairness.
He would have made any world 15 in his prime, absolutely quality player. Such a shame his career ended so early
When on form and injury free he was up there with Kaino as the best no.6 in the world.
Is Impactful code for always injured?
@Spailpeen Farrell: stupid comment. He was a class player
@Spailpeen Farrell: Always injured? Yes injury blighted the last year or so for him, but always injured, that’s a laugh. The reckless way he put himself about was possibly what didn’t help him have a long career but he never went missing in games and without needing to talk about what irishness meant to him he did his bit and more for the game here. Top class 6.
What a brilliant player – such a shame he had to retire so early. Always thought he could have managed himself a little better in terms of injuries, but guess that was just the competitor in him / always wanted to be back out in the thick of it.
I train at the same gym as him nowadays and hes STILL a beast!
Jaysis Ireland really had a glorious chance in 2011 to win the World Cup. Full panel of players to chose from……..Welsh defence was unreal that day though
Not sure we played New Zealand in Croker in 2010, think it was Aviva Stadium.