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New Zealand Rugby release statement amid coronavirus concerns
New Zealand Rugby has issued a press release amid ongoing concerns regarding the coronavirus outbreak.
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In the statement, the governing body of the sport in New Zealand said that, after consultation with relevant organisations, scheduled Super Rugby fixtures in Auckland and Hamilton this week will still take place.
“New Zealand Rugby has consulted with SANZAAR, Eden Park, FMG Stadium and the Ministry of Health and can confirm that the New Zealand hosted Super Rugby matches will continue as normal during round seven of the competition including the Chiefs-Hurricanes match at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton tonight, and the Blues-Lions match at Eden Park on Saturday,” the statement reads.
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“This is also in keeping with the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 advice on public events and mass gatherings.
“We are closely monitoring what’s happening in other sporting codes around the world but are taking our advice from the New Zealand Government.
“The safety of our players, fans and stakeholders is our paramount consideration and we will continue to work closely with the New Zealand Government, SANZAAR, and our Super Rugby clubs to monitor what is a fast-moving situation.
“We advise any rugby fans who are feeling unwell to follow Ministry of Health guidelines and stay away from mass gatherings.”
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The decision to persist with the matches comes after the Jaguares’ announcement that their will play their match against the Highlanders in Buenos Aires behind closed doors this weekend.
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The Sunwolves are also set to play their second ‘home’ match in a row outside of Japan due to the spread of coronavirus.
The Tokyo-based club last week ‘hosted’ the Brumbies in Wollongong instead of Osaka, where the match was initially scheduled to take place, and fell to a 47-14 defeat at WIN Stadium.
Their extended road trip continues this week when the run out as the ‘home’ side against the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane in a match that was originally set to take place in Tokyo.
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