1.2.3.........CODE!

With the Auckland region set to move from Covid-19 Alert Level 3 down to Alert Level 2 as of 11.59 pm Sunday 30 August, see below for all of the important updates on how rugby is back under Alert level two.

Auckland Rugby has been working tirelessly alongside both Adult Rugby Committee and Junior Initiatives Committee, to ensure Rugby can return as practically and safely as possible.  We are pleased to confirm that:

All Goodyear Senior Club Rugby and all PIC Junior Rugby will recommence on Saturday 12th September.

This is decision is subject to the Government update on the 6th September and the hopeful removal of the 10-person gathering restrictions. All clubs must follow strict MoH, & NZ Rugby hygiene requirements and ensure Auckland Rugby R2P protocols are met.

The winter season is almost over. All rugby must be completed by the final weekend in September, which leaves us with 3 Saturdays - the 12th, 19th & 26th.

GOODYEAR CLUB RUGBY

COVID-19 hasn’t been kind to the 2020 Rugby Season, a delayed start, and an interrupted season. The adult rugby committee carefully considered all these factors along with a strong desire from players coaches and referees for competitions to conclude practically as possible.

Premier - The Gallaher shield will be contested for by the current top 8 teams in a Quarter-Final, Semi-Final & Final format. The bottom six team will contest the Portola Trophy.

The Gallaher Shield final will be played as a double-header with the Mitre10 Cup at Eden Park on Sunday 27th September, 4.35 pm KO.

Premier Reserve – Will follow a similar format to Premier with a Quarter-Final, Semi-Final & Final format over the same three weeks.

Under 21s – Will play a final round on the 12th of September followed by, Semi-Finals & Finals across qualifiers 1-4, 5-8 & 9-11.

Under 85kg – Will move straight into, Semi-Finals for qualifiers 1-4, 5-8 & 9-11 on the 12th of September & Finals on Saturday the 19th.

First Grade – Can complete their remaining round-robin games over the 12th & 19th of September with a straight Final for 1st & 2nd qualifiers on the 26th.

Presidents-  No Change – Restart on the 12th of September with ongoing organised matches.

Women’s – With Ponsonby already taking home the Coleman Trophy. Games will be organised for the women’s teams on the 12th, 19th & 26th, with a possible Female rugby festival on the 26th of September, should we move to Alert Level 1

Training

Senior Clubs training may resume, at the Club’s discretion, under Alert Level-2 (Monday 31 August). Observing all Level 2 restrictions including maintaining 10-person bubble restrictions.

Draws & Competition Formats

Draws are currently being populated and will be updated and live early next week.

For full details on competition formats across all grades – Click HERE

Crowds and Spectators

Adult Rugby respectfully requests no spectators at all games on Saturday the 12th of September. This will then be reviewed for the following weekends.

PIC JUNIOR RUGBY

All PIC Junior Rugby will recommence across all grades on the 12th September under COVID-19 Alert Level 2 restrictions.  

The Season has also been extended by one week, with the final week of games held on the 26th of September.

To facilitate a successful return to play in a COVID environment, the Junior Rugby Initiatives committee has designed some innovative formats for the remaining three weeks of rugby. You can find the grade offerings HERE

 Draws will be prepared and released next week.

Training

Given the limitations and logistical requirements of a 10-person bubble (i.e 1 coach & 9 players), Junior Rugby training remains at the discretion of each Club and should not recommence before Monday 7 September.  

As always Junior rugby training should also be limited to 1 per week.

Crowds and Spectators

We also request that only one caregiver per child attends matches while Level 2 restrictions are in place. And that caregivers remain in their vehicles at training, where possible.

COVID -19 ALERT LEVEL 2 - Information

https://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/Return-2-Play-Blueprint

https://www.nzrugby.co.nz/news-and-events/covid-19/

https://covid19.govt.nz/covid-19/alert-system/alert-level-2/

We are super excited to see the return of rugby, however, we appreciate some of you may not.  Auckland Rugby fully supports those clubs, teams, or individuals who may wish to “opt-out” of further participation in the 2020 season, but we would love to see you again next year.

Article added: Friday 28 August 2020