COVID-19: All Auckland rugby league activity remains postponed as Alert Level 3 is extended

August 14, 2020

In light of this evening’s Covid-19 announcement, Auckland is remaining at Level 3 for an extended 12 days; therefore all rugby league activity (playing, contact and non-contact training) remains postponed until August 26^th subject to ongoing Government updates.

Aucklanders are instructed to stay home in their bubble other than for essential personal movement. The area covered by Alert Level 3 is the Auckland Super City – from Wellsford in the north to Pukekohe in the south.

The remainder of New Zealand remains at Alert Level 2 (excluding Auckland); therefore rugby league activity (training and playing) is permitted, ONLY if clubs and facilities can abide by strict health requirements below, until further notice.

These requirements include what ‘must’ be done, such as:

• A contact tracing register must be kept for all participants and spectators and able to be accessed quickly. NZRL recommend IDMe app.

• Physical distancing is required at all times, this is mandatory for those not participating on the field (2 metres).

• As it stands, Rugby League activity must abide by 100 person gathering / spectator limit (subject to Government updates).

• Participants should wash and dry their hands before and after playing; equipment should be sanitised and dried before and after playing. No one should be participating (or leaving home) if they show any signs of being sick, displaying symptoms of COVID-19, awaiting a test, or if required to self-isolate.

Please refer to your appropriate District and Club for more specific information on upcoming competitions and fixtures.

NZRL is in close dialogue with Government and Sport NZ and will provide further guidance regarding return to rugby league activity for Auckland when possible (subject to Government updates).

Thank you for your co-operation and understanding during this time.

August 14-16 round cancelled for all grades

August 13, 2020 

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions in place across the Auckland region, all Auckland Rugby League games scheduled to be played during the August 14-16 round have been cancelled and will be treated as a ‘Washout Round’.

The ‘Washout Round’ means impacted games will not be rescheduled, with no competition points awarded for the round.

As it stands the Government has placed Auckland under Level 3 restrictions until at least midnight on Friday, August 14, and even if the alert level is lowered ARL CEO Greg Whaiapu said games will not take place this weekend. 

“Given the strict COVID-19 protocols that need to be followed, there wouldn’t be enough time for clubs to ensure they have appropriate measures in place even if the alert level was lowered,” Whaiapu said. 

“With that in mind we are making the call now because we feel it is in the best interests of everyone involved, regarding their health and safety.”

Updates on future rounds for all grades will be provided at a later date, pending further Government rulings and advice. 

In the meantime, all rugby league activity in Auckland, including trainings and gatherings, is suspended.

NZRL is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to update you with the latest information.

We appreciate this is an unsettling time, however we remain vigilant and prepared to tackle this collectively once again.