More disruptions for Super Rugby as plug pulled on pre-season match
The Super Rugby AU trial between the NSW Waratahs and Brumbies in Bowral later this month has been cancelled, as coronavirus again threatens to disrupt the home-and-away season.
Due to current border restrictions, Super Rugby teams and Rugby Australia have agreed to limit the pre-season trials to just one per team.
The Waratahs have opted to take on the Queensland Reds in Narrabri on February 5, with the Brumbies yet to make an announcement on their trial.
While ACT residents can travel to non-COVID-19 affected areas of NSW including Bowral, the Waratahs are coming from an "affected area".
NSW Waratahs CEO Paul Doorn said while disappointing, continuing disruptions due to state border closures and health advice meant that the event could not go ahead on Jan 30.
"We had hoped the COVID-19 situation would have taken a different route by the end of the month, but we felt it important to provide plenty of notice to our members and f ans, and in particular the Southern Highlands rugby community who have been so accommodating," Doorn said in a statement.
"Our plan will be to return to Bowral through 2021 to deliver coaching clinics, courses, development opportunities and more.
"At this point in time we are still planning to proceed with our second trial game against the Queensland Reds in Narrabri but we will continue to monitor the situation closely and follow the health advice as we move closer."
The Melbourne Rebels and Western Force, who spent the entire 2020 Super Rugby AU season on the road, have yet to announce their trials.
The Rebels say they are looking at relocating players interstate again due to border restrictions, although still hopeful of playing some home games at Melbourne's AAMI Park.
- Melissa Woods
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I commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
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