Auckland to lose yet another New Zealand fixture

NEWS: All Blacks fans can buy tickets to the first Bledisloe Cup test in Wellington next week, but Auckland may yet lose its test if COVID-19 levels don't drop in two weeks.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) confirmed the ticket sales details for the All Blacks first Test of 2020 following Government confirmation the country will move to Alert Level 1 on Monday.

According to NZR, pre-sales for the All Blacks v Australia Test at Sky Stadium on Sunday, October 11 will start next Tuesday, September 29 with the public sale from Thursday, October 1.

While, tickets to the second Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park on Sunday, October 18, will be going on sale the week of Monday, October 5, pending Government confirmation Auckland will move to Alert Level 1.

Given Auckland resurgence in Covid-19 cases, NZR has revealed that the match could be move to the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

NZR General Manager Professional Rugby & Performance Chris Lendrum said: “We are confident the match will go ahead at Eden Park, but we are also making responsible contingency plans as we have all the way through Covid-19.

“Our preference and intention is to play the match at Eden Park, but if we can’t have crowds due to Alert Levels we will look to move the match to Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

“Our primary concern is the health and safety of our fans and we will be guided by the advice of Government and health authorities when Auckland’s Alert Levels are reviewed on Monday, October 5”

Auckland was bookmarked to host the North Island versus South Island fixture but instead the match was played behind closed doors in Wellington after an outbreak of the virus forced changes to the original plan.