Community, domestic rugby pushed to sidelines again as Covid returns

Whanganui's bid for another Heartland Championship victory has been set back a week at least as Covid rears its ugly head again. Photo / Bevan Conley

Steelform Whanganui's return to Bunnings Heartland Championship rugby will be delayed by at least seven days as all NZR fixtures for the weekend have been postponed after the country's return to level 4 lockdown.

After an online meeting between NZR and provincial union delegates on Wednesday morning, it was been decided all community rugby and the three domestic competitions – NPC, Farah Palmer Cup and Heartland – have been postponed for August 20-22, and those matches rescheduled for later dates.

WFRU chief executive Bridget Belsham said for Heartland, this means the opening round this Saturday will be moved to the end of the round-robin on October 16, which will push the Meads and Lochore Cup semifinals and finals out another week to October 23 and October 30-31 respectively.

This new draw will be subject to change depending on restrictions required under the various levels, as New Zealand tries to contain the community outbreak of the Delta variant.

"As you can understand, decisions will be made week by week depending on any Government decisions," Belsham said.

NZR community rugby general manager Steve Lancaster said the postponement came after consultation with provincial unions and the Players' Association in the interests of wider public safety.

"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."

Lancaster said NZR would review the status of all competitions beyond this weekend after the Government's next Covid update on Friday.

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

Whanganui had been scheduled to host neighbours Horowhenua-Kapiti at Cooks Gardens to defend the Bruce Steel Memorial Cup in their opening Heartland game.

Currently, they will now instead start against rivals South Canterbury at Timaru's Alpine Energy Stadium next Saturday, August 28.

While the WRFU Junior Rugby season had finished last Saturday, a number of other important fixtures have been affected.

The annual derby game between the Whanganui Collegiate and Whanganui High School 1st XV's was due to be played on Wednesday, while Thursday was to be the final of the WRFU Girls 10-a-side competition between WHS and Cullinane College.

Whanganui Pasifika was due to play Manawatu Pasifika on Saturday, while Sunday was to be the Whanganui Under-18 representative trial.

The status of these games will be confirmed at a later time.