NZ Rugby in domestic shutdown

NEWS: New Zealand's National Provincial Championship, Farah Palmer Cup and Heartland Championship matches, as well as all community and school matches this weekend has been cancelled or postponed.

The announcement was made by the national body, NZ Rugby on Wednesday.

"The next rounds of NPC, FPC and Heartland Championship will be rescheduled to be played at a later date in the competition," NZ Rugby said in a statement.

"No community rugby is to be played at any level.

"However, provincial unions and their local organising bodies will determine whether those matches are cancelled or postponed."

The announcement of a domestic rugby shutdown follows the government decision that Auckland and Coromandel will remain at Alert Level 4 for a period of seven days, while the rest of New Zealand is at Alert Level 4 for a period of three days.

NZ Rugby General Manager Community Rugby Steve Lancaster said the decision had been made in consultation with Provincial Unions and the Players' Association in the interests of wider public safety due to the latest COVID-19 community outbreak.

"Although it could be possible to play competitions and matches outside of Auckland and Coromandel if the COVID Alert Levels fell to Level 2 before Saturday, with level 4 restrictions not being lifted until midnight Friday at the earliest, we believe the responsible decision is to make an early call and keep people away from our fields and venues this weekend.

"We understand this decision will be disappointing for some of our stakeholders but are confident the rugby community will once again act in unity to play our part in keeping Aotearoa safe."

NZ Rugby's decision means Round 3 of the NPC, the opening round of the Heartland Championship, and Rounds 6 and 7 of the FPC Championship and Premiership respectively, will now be played at a later date in the competition.

Rescheduled match timings will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Lancaster said NZ Rugby would review the status of all competitions beyond this weekend after the Government's next COVID update on Friday 20 August.

"Like all New Zealanders, we will be guided by the Government and health authorities over the next seven days."