NZR confirm rescheduled matches for Super Rugby Pacific

Thu, Mar 24, 2022, 2:44 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Christian Leali'ifano talks about his club and the new challenge ahead in Super Rugby Pacific 2022.

New Zealand Rugby have confirmed a bumper month of Rugby as they look to make up the postponed games from Super Rugby Pacific.

With crowds returning this week to games, NZR have announced the schedule for the four previously postponed matches.

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It starts next week with the Hurricanes set to face off with the Chiefs on Sunday April 3, making up the game missed in round five during their originally schedule bye period.

The Highlanders v Moana Pasifika match from the same round will kick off round eight, which sees the Hurricanes v Crusaders shifted back to Saturday.

Pasifika will then make up their game with the Hurricanes four days later on Tuesday April 12, with the highly-anticipated Crusaders v Blues now slayed for April 15.

This will see the clubs make up the necessary games before Super Round, with no impact to the Australian-based matches.

"Confirmation of these matches provides certainty for our players, coaches, fans and venues as we make a welcome shift into something close to normal transmission," NZR General Manager Professional Rugby & Performance Chris Lendrum said in a statement.

"We will welcome fans back into our stadiums over the next week and now we can also celebrate confirmation of a full draw.”

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Lendrum reiterated player safety remained at the forefront of the decision-making process as a number of teams prepare for a four-day turnaround.

"We believe we’ve landed in a good place and all six New Zealand-based teams have remained committed to ensuring all matches are played," he added.

"Although the teams have lost their scheduled bye rounds through rounds 7 to 9, those rest periods have been compensated by the weeks off created by the postponements. Our clubs were united in wanting to play all of their matches, compete hard for competition points and ultimately playoff berths.

"They were also confident they could manage their squads through the balance of the competition to ensure players were in peak form for the finals. “Moana Pasifika has, unfortunately, been most impacted with two Tuesday-Saturday match weeks, but to this point have also played the least rugby with just two matches and I know the club can’t wait to get some more regular game time in their inaugural season in Super Rugby Pacific.”

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