The last weekend of New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa will be nothing like the 9 weeks before after New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed Auckland will remain at alert Level 3 until August 26.
Three days ago, New Zealand confirmed their first community cases (4) of the coronavirus in over a hundred days and are now moving quickly to see that the ripple effects are avoided.
Owing to the restrictions, Blues clash with the Crusaders is officially called off as it was to be hosted in the now red zone of the outbreak. Highlanders’ final game against the Hurricanes will be played but behind closed doors with the game to be played under Level 2 restrictions at Forsyth Barr.
The outbreak of community transmission of Covid-19 in South Auckland plunged the Super City into Level 3 lockdown on Wednesday, while the rest of the country will remain at Level 2 for a further 12 days.
Canceling the game will also cost the Blues and New Zealand Rugby up to $1 million in lost revenue, as we can confirm that the 43,236 tickets sold for Sunday’s match generate gate takings between $800,000 and $1 million, with net profit, thought to be around the $450,000 to $500,000 range.
Fans that had bought tickets for both games will receive refunds and the hurting will be towards Blues fans a lot more as they would miss Dan Carter’s on-field debut for the Auckland side.
