Nz domestic rugby 2020
- Thread starter waiopehu oldboy
- Start date
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Auckland going into Level 3 lockdown, rest of NZ L2, from midday today until at least midnight Friday so I wouldn't count on there being any matches this weekend.
Edit: from today's Hurld:
New Zealand Rugby made a statement last night:
"Rugby is currently assessing the impact on rugby following the Government announcement that Auckland will tomorrow move to Alert Level 3 and the rest of NZ to Alert Level 2. NZ Rugby is in close & constant dialogue with Government and a further update will be given [on Wednesday]."
Edit: from today's Hurld:
New Zealand Rugby made a statement last night:
"Rugby is currently assessing the impact on rugby following the Government announcement that Auckland will tomorrow move to Alert Level 3 and the rest of NZ to Alert Level 2. NZ Rugby is in close & constant dialogue with Government and a further update will be given [on Wednesday]."
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
^ from the Hurld just now:
New Zealand Rugby initially explored the possibility of shifting the Blues and Crusaders match out of Auckland but were then advised otherwise.
"The Government has ruled out the Blues moving out of Auckland under alert Level 3," NZ Rugby head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum said. "Whilst we explored that earlier in the day that's not an option that's open to us. The position is under alert Level 3 is that city is closed down.
"There's many contingencies and options on the table at the moment. The split alert level adds a different complexion to things and it is possible we could have the game in Dunedin but not in Auckland. We'll just see what hand the Government deals us. We've been in lockstep with them the whole way through Covid; we trust their advice, we'll follow it."
Edit/ clarification: "the game in Dunedin" being Clan v 'canes Saturday night which, unless we're at L1, would have to be played in an empty stadium. If by some (extremely slim IMO) chance Auckland is at L2 on Sunday the game can proceed but would also have to be spectator-free. In the meantime CruSadists can train in Cheechee but Loss Bleus cannot train, a request for them to be allowed to travel to Hamilton for that purpose having been declined.
A decision on what happens to Auckland & the rest of NZ Level-wise is expected Friday.
New Zealand Rugby initially explored the possibility of shifting the Blues and Crusaders match out of Auckland but were then advised otherwise.
"The Government has ruled out the Blues moving out of Auckland under alert Level 3," NZ Rugby head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum said. "Whilst we explored that earlier in the day that's not an option that's open to us. The position is under alert Level 3 is that city is closed down.
"There's many contingencies and options on the table at the moment. The split alert level adds a different complexion to things and it is possible we could have the game in Dunedin but not in Auckland. We'll just see what hand the Government deals us. We've been in lockstep with them the whole way through Covid; we trust their advice, we'll follow it."
Edit/ clarification: "the game in Dunedin" being Clan v 'canes Saturday night which, unless we're at L1, would have to be played in an empty stadium. If by some (extremely slim IMO) chance Auckland is at L2 on Sunday the game can proceed but would also have to be spectator-free. In the meantime CruSadists can train in Cheechee but Loss Bleus cannot train, a request for them to be allowed to travel to Hamilton for that purpose having been declined.
A decision on what happens to Auckland & the rest of NZ Level-wise is expected Friday.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Clan have named their team for a match that if it happens* will be Nugget's 150th & Ash Dixon's 100th:
Highlanders: Mitch Hunt, Josh McKay, Michael Collins, Sio Tomkinson, Jona Nareki, Josh Ioane, Aaron Smith, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell, Jack Whetton, Pari Pari Parkinson. Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon, Ayden Johnstone. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jeff Thwaites, Manaaki Selby-Ricket, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Folau Fakatava, Ngatungane Punivai, Tom Florence
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...n-smith-brings-up-game-150-against-hurricanes
Meanwhile TJP will be absent due to his imminent fatherhood:
Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Vince Aso, Billy Proctor, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Wes Goosen, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Jamie Booth, Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Scott Scrafton, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles (captain), Ben May. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Tevita Mafileo, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Liam Mitchell, Devan Flanders, Jonathan Taumateine, Salesi Rayasi, Chase Tiatia.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...-to-miss-hurricanes-farewell-match-in-dunedin
* At this point I'd say the game is certain to proceed unless someone in the South returns a positive Covid test in the meantime but it'll be in an empty stadium.
No official word on the dead rubber/ Grand Final but I just don't see Auckland being in anything less than Level 3 come Sunday.
Highlanders: Mitch Hunt, Josh McKay, Michael Collins, Sio Tomkinson, Jona Nareki, Josh Ioane, Aaron Smith, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell, Jack Whetton, Pari Pari Parkinson. Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon, Ayden Johnstone. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jeff Thwaites, Manaaki Selby-Ricket, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Folau Fakatava, Ngatungane Punivai, Tom Florence
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...n-smith-brings-up-game-150-against-hurricanes
Meanwhile TJP will be absent due to his imminent fatherhood:
Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Vince Aso, Billy Proctor, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Wes Goosen, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Jamie Booth, Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Scott Scrafton, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles (captain), Ben May. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Tevita Mafileo, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Liam Mitchell, Devan Flanders, Jonathan Taumateine, Salesi Rayasi, Chase Tiatia.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...-to-miss-hurricanes-farewell-match-in-dunedin
* At this point I'd say the game is certain to proceed unless someone in the South returns a positive Covid test in the meantime but it'll be in an empty stadium.
No official word on the dead rubber/ Grand Final but I just don't see Auckland being in anything less than Level 3 come Sunday.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Cobus van Wyk gets three weeks for the lift & drop on Weber:
https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/s...-stint-on-sour-note-with-threeweek-suspension
https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/s...-stint-on-sour-note-with-threeweek-suspension
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Auckland staying at Covid Level 3 so Loss Bleus v CruSadists officially declared a draw, rest of NZ staying at L2 so Clan v 'canes will proceed but in an empty stadium.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...ders-game-in-auckland-is-officially-cancelled
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...ders-game-in-auckland-is-officially-cancelled
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
^ true. Still sucks, but.
Next game under threat is of course North v South on 29/08: if lockdown doesn't end on 26/08 it means the game can't be played in Auckland at all & if moved would have to be fan-free & how do you do that with three days notice? Probably best to pick another venue (Wellywood or Dunners) now & hope to be able to start selling tix on 27/08. Pretty sure either would sell out in a matter of hours.
Edit: Hurld reporting that Clan v 'canes will now kick off at 15:05 NZT, so that 'canes & match officials can FIFO:
"Under NZ Rugby's Level 2 protocols agreed with the Government, teams must fly in and out of cities hosting matches on the same day to limit public interaction. As a result, the Hurricanes and several match officials will take a charter flight to Dunedin tomorrow morning and return to Wellington on Saturday evening."
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12356673
Next game under threat is of course North v South on 29/08: if lockdown doesn't end on 26/08 it means the game can't be played in Auckland at all & if moved would have to be fan-free & how do you do that with three days notice? Probably best to pick another venue (Wellywood or Dunners) now & hope to be able to start selling tix on 27/08. Pretty sure either would sell out in a matter of hours.
Edit: Hurld reporting that Clan v 'canes will now kick off at 15:05 NZT, so that 'canes & match officials can FIFO:
"Under NZ Rugby's Level 2 protocols agreed with the Government, teams must fly in and out of cities hosting matches on the same day to limit public interaction. As a result, the Hurricanes and several match officials will take a charter flight to Dunedin tomorrow morning and return to Wellington on Saturday evening."
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12356673
formerflanker
Ken Catchpole (46)
Thanks for the sterling work in keeping us updated, WO.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
^ you're welcome.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Decision on moving N v S to be made by Friday, also whether Auckland-based players etc can relocate to Wellington or wherever while Auckland is still at L3.
Opening rounds of Farah Palmer Cup scrapped, NZR working with Unions re: rescheduling/ reformatting comp.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12356801
Opening rounds of Farah Palmer Cup scrapped, NZR working with Unions re: rescheduling/ reformatting comp.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12356801
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
SRAo goes out on a high (unless you're a 'canes man* 
):
* that said, #1 'canes man on here will no doubt declare it a bloody good game if footy, which it was, in which numerous players were bloody good, which they were.
):* that said, #1 'canes man on here will no doubt declare it a bloody good game if footy, which it was, in which numerous players were bloody good, which they were.
zer0
John Thornett (49)
For the sake of OCD completeness, total 2020 records for the year:
- Crusaders @ 11-1-2 (79%)
- Blues @ 10-1-4 (67%)
- Hurricanes @ 9-5 (64%)
- Highlanders @ 7-7 (50%)
- Chiefs @ 4-10 (29%)
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
^ never in the history of SRAo has "lies, damned lies & identical SRA records" been truer.
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
It will surely go down in histroy as the great SRA rip off zer0, well north of the Bombay hills anyway
.But I do say it is great to have you Jafas in here being able to put together some dodgy figure to prove you may of been able to be higher! Show that all is good in NZ rugby
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
FTR:
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
Shows how much the canes were ripped off, the only team to beat the Sadists, and those bloody Jafa buggers trying to claim they better
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
^ well, had they not gotten thumped in the last round they might've finished second not third......
Anyhoo, if North v South can't be at Eden Park (which it can't imo) where should it be? Wellywood has the next-biggest stadium so I guess they're most likely.
Anyhoo, if North v South can't be at Eden Park (which it can't imo) where should it be? Wellywood has the next-biggest stadium so I guess they're most likely.
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
details f***en details!!