Fans allowed at NZ Super competition as coronavirus restrictions dropped
WELLINGTON: Fans will be allowed into stadiums to watch the opening weekend of New Zealand's domestic rugby competition after the country lifted virtually all coronavirus restrictions, according to the nation's governing body.
Super Rugby Aotearoa, which involves New Zealand's five Super teams, is the first professional rugby union competition to resume after governments imposed restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Crusaders Richie Mo'unga, right, and teammate Braydon Ennor after defeating the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby semi-final in Christchurch last year.Credit:AP
"We're incredibly proud, and grateful, to be the first professional sports competition in the world to be in a position to have our teams play in front of their fans again," New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson said in a statement.
There would be no restrictions on the size of crowds for the first weekend of matches at Otago Regional Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday and at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday, NZR added.
Reuters