A rising COVID-19 outbreak amongst New Zealand’s Super Rugby groups is threatening additional disruption to the Pacific competitors.
The Dunedin-based Otago Highlanders cancelled coaching on Tuesday (Mar 15), that means Friday’s dwelling match towards Moana Pasifika is very prone to be postponed for participant welfare causes.
“Due to a growing number of COVID cases across players and staff we have taken the precaution of cancelling today’s training and media session,” a Highlanders spokesman stated.
Moana Pasifika’s first season in Super Rugby is rising more and more untenable, with the growth aspect having performed just one out of a possible 4 matches resulting from COVID-19 circumstances on their taking part in roster and amongst their opponents.
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The Auckland-based workforce, established to provide illustration to the Pacific island nations, already face tight turnarounds between fixtures in late March and early April after a schedule rejig.
“It’s been challenging for a lot of teams and people during this time,” Moana Pasifika playmaker and former Wallaby Christian Lealiifano stated.
In a bid to keep away from COVID-19 issues, New Zealand Rugby compelled the nation’s six groups to relocate to a hub within the distant South Island resort of Queenstown and play at empty stadiums for the opening weeks of Super Rugby Pacific.
The transfer backfired, with Moana Pasifika hit by COVID-19 and compelled to isolate at their Queenstown resort earlier than additional circumstances emerged at New Zealand’s Wellington Hurricanes and Waikato Chiefs.
