Advertisement
George Bridge scores for the Crusaders against the Blues before SUper Rugby was halted this year. Photosport/Andrew Cornaga/INPHO

June fixture list unveiled for Kiwi Super Rugby sides

Reports in Australia say their sides, including the revived Western Force, may follow suit in July.

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.

Tweet by @Super Rugby Super Rugby / Twitter Super Rugby / Twitter / Twitter

“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.

Close
4 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ray Ridge
    Favourite Ray Ridge
    Report
    May 2nd 2020, 8:59 AM

    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.

    167
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thesaltyurchin
    Favourite thesaltyurchin
    Report
    May 2nd 2020, 1:02 PM

    @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.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathal
    Favourite Cathal
    Report
    May 2nd 2020, 5:11 PM

    He would have made any world 15 in his prime, absolutely quality player. Such a shame his career ended so early

    78
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JackSimpson
    Favourite JackSimpson
    Report
    May 2nd 2020, 8:09 PM

    When on form and injury free he was up there with Kaino as the best no.6 in the world.

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Spailpeen Farrell
    Favourite Spailpeen Farrell
    Report
    May 2nd 2020, 9:11 AM

    Is Impactful code for always injured?

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barra Mac An Bhaird
    Favourite Barra Mac An Bhaird
    Report
    May 2nd 2020, 12:30 PM

    @Spailpeen Farrell: stupid comment. He was a class player

    129
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ThatLJD
    Favourite ThatLJD
    Report
    May 2nd 2020, 10:04 PM

    @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.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat O'Leary
    Favourite Pat O'Leary
    Report
    May 3rd 2020, 12:58 AM

    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.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Boseph Stalin
    Favourite Boseph Stalin
    Report
    May 3rd 2020, 2:06 PM

    I train at the same gym as him nowadays and hes STILL a beast!

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Pocock
    Favourite Conor Pocock
    Report
    May 4th 2020, 6:08 AM

    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

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonny Walls
    Favourite Jonny Walls
    Report
    May 5th 2020, 3:12 PM

    Not sure we played New Zealand in Croker in 2010, think it was Aviva Stadium.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel