New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has confirmed that the domestic form of Super Rugby involving the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders, known as Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa will start on Saturday 13 June.
Today’s news follows the Government’s announcement on Thursday that professional rugby and netball could resume at alert level two. The New Zealand Government announced that from today that the country moves to level two.
New Zealand's five teams will play each other twice in a 10-week series with matches to be played at 5.05 pm on Saturdays and 3.05 pm on Sundays. All matches will be played in closed stadiums until government restrictions are eased and an approach to managing mass gatherings in controlled venues, that will allow fans to return is in place.
The schedule for the competition has also been announced today. In the opening weekend, the Highlanders will play the Chiefs in Dunedin on Saturday 13 June, with the Blues playing the Hurricanes in Auckland the following day. All matches will be played live on Sky Sport.
NZR Chief Executive Mark Robinson said he was delighted for fans that they would have top-quality rugby on their screens in just over a month.
“The thought of five world-class Kiwi teams battling it out in 20 matches over 10 weeks should put a smile back on the faces of many people. I know our players are excited and I’m sure rugby fans will be as well.”
Robinson said they always knew they had to take the Government’s lead on when it was safe for rugby to return, and now it was critical the sport did everything to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19.
“Medical and operational staff across NZR, the Players’ Association and the clubs have been working together to ensure we have detailed plans in place to protect the health and safety of everyone involved.”
NZR Medical Manager Karen Rasmussen said a set of protocols for playing professional rugby at level two had been developed and will be endorsed by the Government.
The protocols include daily symptom and temperature checks for players, team management and other officials involved in the competition, as well as stringent hygiene and cleaning, contact tracing practices, and asking anyone who feels unwell to stay away, self-isolate and get tested.
“A major factor 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,” said Rasmussen.
“Team members will be asked to minimise their contacts outside of the team environment and their family bubbles.”
The teams will also fly in and out on match days by charter flights, with the earlier kick-off times allowing teams time to return to their home base after the games.
Sky CEO Martin Stewart welcomed the news Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa would soon be underway.
“This is superb news for sports fans, our partners New Zealand Rugby and SANZAAR, our team at Sky, and the players themselves. We look forward to working together to produce and deliver these exciting matches for New Zealanders and our global audience.”
Fixtures:
13 June Highlanders v Chiefs Dunedin 5:05 PM
14 June Blues v Hurricanes Auckland 3:05 PM
20 June Chiefs v Blues Hamilton 5:05 PM
21 June Hurricanes v Crusaders Wellington 3:05 PM
27 June Blues v Highlanders Auckland 5:05 PM
28 June Crusaders v Chiefs Christchurch 3:05 PM
04 July Highlanders v Crusaders Dunedin 5:05 PM
05 July Chiefs v Hurricanes Hamilton 3:05 PM
11 July Crusaders v Blues Christchurch 5:05 PM
12 July Hurricanes v Highlanders Wellington 3:05 PM
18 July Hurricanes v Blues Wellington 5:05 PM
19 July Chiefs v Highlanders Hamilton 3:05 PM
25 July Crusaders v Hurricanes Christchurch 5:05 PM
26 July Blues v Chiefs Auckland 3:05 PM
01 August Chiefs v Crusaders Hamilton 5:05 PM
02 August Highlanders v Blues Dunedin 3:05 PM
08 August Hurricanes v Chiefs Wellington 5:05 PM
09 August Crusaders v Highlanders Christchurch 3:05 PM
15 August Highlanders v Hurricanes Dunedin 5:05 PM
16 August Blues v Crusaders Auckland 3:05 PM