Super Rugby Aotearoa

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JUNE 09: Auckland Blues CEO Andrew Hore speaks during a Blues media conference at Blues HQ on June 09, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Super Rugby Aotearoa fixture called off amid COVID-19 concerns

Following new COVID-19 cases in New Zealand, the final Super Rugby Aotearoa fixture of the season has been called off.

Super Rugby Aotearoa

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JUNE 09: Auckland Blues CEO Andrew Hore speaks during a Blues media conference at Blues HQ on June 09, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The Super Rugby Aotearoa fixture scheduled for Sunday between the Blues and the Crusaders will no longer go ahead. This follows new cases of COVID-19 discovered in New Zealand in the past week.

The country had been declared coronavirus-free for over 100 days, until Tuesday, where four new cases were diagnosed in Auckland.

The government has moved to shut down the country, with Prime Minister Jacinda Arden imposing level three lockdown restrictions until 26 August.

Changes in Super Rugby Aotearoa schedule 

The latest development have affected the final round of Super Rugby Aotearoa fixtures, scheduled to take place this coming weekend.

Whilel Sunday’s match, which was set to take place at Eden Park in Auckland, has been cancelled, the kick-off time in the preceding fixture has been moved forward.

According to the original schedule, the clash between the Highlanders and the Hurricanes was set to kick off at 9:05 (SAST) on Saturday, but will now start four hours earlier.

This is to allow the Hurricanes to fly back to Wellington on the same day to limit public interaction.

Former All Blacks hooker, now Blues chief executive, Andrew Hore said although the news was disappointing, he was grateful that they have been able to hold a tournament with crowds after the pandemic crisis.

“While this news is disappointing, we need to take a step back and be grateful for what we got, what it meant to our players, our sponsors and, most importantly, to our fans,” he said in a statement.

“The Blues will be in touch with all ticket holders directly in the coming days.”

Andrew Hore, Blues CEO

Tournament declared a success  

The Crusaders secured the title in the penultimate round of fixtures, following a 32-22 win over the Highlanders in Christchurch.

The franchise’s chief executive Colin Mansbridge said Super Rugby Aotearoa was an incredible display of unity among the people of New Zealand.

“While it would have been fitting to finish our campaign in front of a full house at Eden Park, I think the rugby community can be incredibly proud of what we have collectively achieved over the last ten weeks, and will understand that this decision has been made in the best interests of New Zealanders.

“On behalf of the Crusaders, I want to thank all of our fans for their incredible support throughout the 2020 season.”

Colin Mansbridge, Crusaders CEO

The match between the Highlanders and the Hurricanes will be broadcast on Supersport 1 (SS1).