North vs South clash postponed due to COVID-19 spike in New Zealand

New Zealand Rugby confirmed that the North vs South rugby clash has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The eagerly-anticipated North vs South clash originally scheduled for 29 August 2020 has now been pushed back by a week to 05 September 2020 due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in New Zealand.

The North and South squads were due to assemble in Wellington on Monday to prepare for the match however government’s decision to place Auckland under level three restrictions and other areas in the country under level two restrictions affects both player travel and training.

North vs South clash postponed

New Zealand Rugby General Manager Chris Lendrum confirmed that the association has accepted government’s decision and will now begin preparing around the new lockdown regulations.

“We’re disappointed that the North vs South game can’t go ahead at this stage next week, but we understand and respect the Government’s decision. We’re no different from hundreds of other New Zealanders who have also had their requests for exemption turned down, so we have to abide by the decision,” Lendrum said.

“We know everyone wants the game to go ahead, the players and fans are all looking forward to it and we think it’ll be a real boost for the country during these unsettling times.

“So we remain solution-focussed, will look to get the game played a week later and remain excited at the prospect of these two teams going head to head.”

Complete North vs South squad lists:

All Blacks coach Ian Foster named two well balanced squads filled with talent for the match between the composite sides that represent the country’s two main islands.

North squad:

Backs – Damian McKenzie, Mitchell Hunt, Sevu Reece, Caleb Clarke, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Peter Umnaga-Jensen, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.

Forwards – Hoskins Sotutu, Akira Ioane, Lachlan Boshier, Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Alex Fidow, Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tuungafasi, Ayden Johnstone, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Asafo Amumua, Ash Dixon, Kurt Eklund.

South squad:

Backs – Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, George Bridge, Braydon Ennor, Leicester Faingaanuku, Jack Goodhue, Sio Tomkinson, Richie Mo’unga, Josh Ioane, Brad Weber, Finlay Christie, Mitchell Drummond.

Forwards – Shannon Frizell, Dillon Hunt, Tom Sanders, Reed Prinsep, Tom Christie, Sam Whitelock, Mitch Dunshea, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, George Bower, Nepo Laulala, Alex Hodgman, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Liam Coltman, Andrew Makalio.