For the second week in a row, the Rebels' match has been moved with Sunday's game against the Chiefs shifted to Sydney.
As Melbourne enters a second week of lockdown, the travel bubble between the state and New Zealand remains shut, prohibiting the Rebels from travelling to Waikato.
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With the Chiefs staying in Australia following their defeat to the Reds, the decision was made on Thursday to shift the game to Leichhardt Oval at the new time of 3:30 pm (AEST).
"SANZAR, Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby have confirmed that the Chiefs versus Melbourne Rebels Round 4 match, originally scheduled for Saturday 5 June in Hamilton, is now scheduled to be played in Sydney on Sunday 6 June," a statement from Rugby Australia said.
"This follows the extension of the Melbourne COVID-19 lockdown period as announced by the Victorian State Government (Wednesday 2 June) and the subsequent extension of the travel pause for international travel between Victoria and New Zealand that captures the Rebels playing group.
"It had been hoped the match could have been played in Hamilton, New Zealand, a day later than originally scheduled on Sunday 6 June, to allow the Rebels to travel to New Zealand from Australia if the COVID-19 protocols had been lifted. However, the extension of the quarantine and travel protocols announced by the Victoria State Government and New Zealand Governments respectively, made this impossible. "The match will therefore kick-off at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney at 15:00 local time on Sunday 6 June. The Chiefs are already in Sydney following their match against the Queensland Reds in Townsville in Round 4. The playing group stayed in Australia in anticipation of the extension of the quarantine and travel protocols.
"SANZAR, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Rugby Australia (RA) and are continually working with the Super Rugby teams on contingency plans, including potential changes to the match schedule for Round 5."
The Rebels have remained in Sydney as they once again get used to life away from home.
Cleared from hotel isolation, the Rebels have made base at Sydney Uni, with interim coach Kevin Foote admitting the change of scenery has had its benefits.
“This is a proper facility,” Foote told Rugby.com.au jokingly. "At AAMI Park, we have a few limitations so Sydney Uni has been incredible for us.
“We’ve got the meeting rooms right here so we can walk straight out onto the training field. All the facilities are really world-class so we really appreciate them having us.
“Just to have the guys together and transition quickly onto the field is huge for us and be punctual with our meetings. All the dead time we had now adds onto the legs so we’ve taken that out and put on it the field. The guys ran really well at training at a good intensity which just shows you the benefits.”
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With a date and venue formally confirmed for this week's game, the Rebels attention turns to breaking their winless run in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
For Foote, maintaining discipline and keeping their focus on themselves were integral if they wish to cause the upset.
“We want to make sure we’re not playing against ourself,” he added.
“We went to play tempo and brave but we want to make sure we’re learning from those mistakes that have been taught to us in the first three games, that’s going to be the big one.”
