COVID-19 outbreak: Super Rugby opener postponed

NEWS: The Moana Pasifika Super Rugby Pacific squad continue to isolate in their Queenstown hotel after seven players were confirmed by Ministry of Health on Friday as positive COVID-19 cases.

Moana Pasifika are isolating in their Queenstown hotel and working closely with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and health authorities, while following all COVID-19 protocols.

All members of the other five New Zealand-based Super Rugby Pacific squads have tested negative for COVID-19 and will continue preparations for the start of the season, including preseason fixtures in Queenstown this weekend.

Moana Pasifika’s situation will impact the opening match of the Super Rugby Pacific season, where they were scheduled to play the Blues on Friday, February 18.

The Super Rugby Pacific Competitions Committee has confirmed that this match will be postponed, with further work to be done between NZR alongside joint venture partner Rugby Australia, SANZAAR and broadcast partners Sky to explore options to play the postponed match, and will update teams, fans and media in due course.

NZR General Manager Professional Rugby & Performance Chris Lendrum said: "Our thoughts are with the players who have tested positive, and our focus is on ensuring the have the full support of NZR as they deal with their situation. We also share the disappointment of the Moana Pasifika players, coaches, staff and fans. We know how hard they have worked and how eager they are to get out on the field.

"However, we also remain confident Moana Pasifika can get through this period of isolation and join the Super Rugby Pacific season and will be doing everything we can to support them over the coming weeks."

Moana Pasifika made the proactive decision to have the full squad take PCR tests on Thursday, February 10, after it was identified that a player, who trained with the squad on Monday morning prior to their departure to Queenstown on a charter flight, subsequently became a close contact. That player did not travel with the team.

Tests results confirmed the positive cases on Friday, but were not included in the Ministry of Health’s COVID case numbers on Friday. It is understood the positive cases pose a low risk to the local community as they have been in a contained bubble since arriving in Queenstown.

A Blues player who was also identified as a close contact on Wednesday returned a negative PCR test result on Thursday but continues to isolate in the team hotel following the advice provided by health authorities. All other members of the Blues traveling group have returned negative Rapid Antigen Tests and will play in a pre-season match this weekend.

Moana Pasifika’s situation means the pre-season schedule has been changed. The Highlanders, who were scheduled to play Moana Pasifika, will now join the Blues and Chiefs in a game of three halves, while the Hurricanes will play the Crusaders. Both matches will now be played at the Queenstown Recreation Ground. These matches are not open to the public as per the red traffic light settings.

Pre-season fixtures for Saturday, February 12:

Chiefs v Blues v Highlanders

Hurricanes v Crusaders