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SANZAAR issue update on Super Rugby games impacted by Coronavirus

Sunwolves. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)

SANZAAR announced on Thursday morning the Japanese government has requested the cancellation of all sporting events for the next two weeks which will impact games hosted in Japan.

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“The international cross-border nature of the Super Rugby tournament has led SANZAAR to review its playing schedule and to implement specific tournament protocols to minimise any risks of the ongoing effects of the Corona [COVID-19] virus,” a statement read.

“To date, the virus has been detected in 30 countries and territories around the World. The most concerning to SANZAAR of these are the Sunwolves’ home venues in Japan and Singapore where matches are scheduled to be played.

The Brumbies’ Super Rugby match against the Sunwolves scheduled for early next month in Osaka is set to be relocated due to the coronavirus.

SANZAAR is now working to determine if the Hanazono Rugby Stadium match can be relocated and if this isn’t possible, the teams are set to split the competition points.

“SANZAAR will issue further details on the position of this match and any potential further disruptions in the near future,” the governing body said in a statement.

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This follows Ireland’s decision to postpone their Six Nations fixture against Italy, which was due to take place in Dublin on March 7.

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Due to the outbreak of the virus in northern Italy, the IRFU decided to reschedule with thousands of Italian supporters, many from the regions most affected by the outbreak, expected to make the trip.

The Sunwolves play home games in Japan and Singapore, with the Reds due to play in Tokyo on April 5 with the Waratahs scheduled there on May 8.

The Sunwolves also have back-to-back matches against the Rebels and Waratahs in Australia late next month which could be impacted if there are travel restrictions placed on the Tokyo-based team.

SANZAAR says it’s in regular contact with National Union Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) who have been monitoring their teams.

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There’s presently no identified cases of any players, management or match officials presenting symptoms associated with the virus, including the Sunwolves.

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Flankly 2 hours ago
'Absolute madness': Clive Woodward rips into Borthwick in wake of NZ loss

Borthwick is supposed to be the archetypical conservative coach, the guy that might not deliver a sparkling, high-risk attacking style, but whose teams execute the basics flawlessly. And that's OK, because it can be really hard to beat teams that are rock solid and consistent in the rugby equivalent of "blocking and tackling".


But this is why the performance against NZ is hard to defend. You can forgive a conservative, back-to-basics team for failing to score tons of tries, because teams like that make up for it with reliability in the simple things. They can defend well, apply territorial pressure, win the set piece battles, and take their scoring chances with metronomic goal kicking, maul tries and pick-and-go goal line attacks.


The reason why the English rugby administrators should be on high alert is not that the English team looked unable to score tries, but that they were repeatedly unable to close out a game by executing basic, coachable skills. Regardless of how they got to the point of being in control of their destiny, they did get to that point. All that was needed was to be world class at things that require more training than talent. But that training was apparently missing, and the finger has to point at the coach.


Borthwick has been in the job for nearly two years, a period that includes two 6N programs and an RWC campaign. So where are the solid foundations that he has been building?

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