New Zealand Rugby has announced that it will not be following the World Rugby proposals limiting players contact.
WR’s scheme includes banning scrum resets, prohibiting mauls, forbidding team huddles, and vetoing upright tackles in the Super Rugby Aotearoa happening in June. The plan is not a prerequisite for playing, though. WR said that these are simply moves being considered to reduce the chance of transmitting the novel coronavirus COVID-19, and the final decision will be left to national bodies.
The WR Medical Group also wants scrums replaced, mauls removed completely, lineouts to be uncontested, and spitting and team huddles being scrapped altogether. Players should also change their headgear and kits at half-time, they say.
But NZR Chief Executive Officer Mark Robinson has said that none of these rules will be in place when the new local competition kicks off on the 13th of June. He explained that there are no signs of community transmission here, so our country has a different set of circumstances that need to be considered.
Robinson said that NZR has been open with WR about this and that the governing body understands our unique situation. He says that this doesn’t mean that health risks won’t be taken seriously, though, and that stringent protocols are being followed as set out by Kiwi public health authorities.
These include daily temperature and symptoms checks, rigorous hygiene and cleaning habits, and contact tracing practices. He added that anyone feeling unwell is to stay away, self-isolating and getting tested at once.
| # | Site | Bonus | Bet | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Betway |  | 5/5 | Up to $60 NZD | Bet now Review |
| 2 |  | Picklebet | | 4.9/5 | Login to see promotions | Bet now |
| 3 |  | Palmerbet | | 4.8/5 | 100% Match | Bet now |
More About Trent Wilson
Trent Wilson is OnlineBetting.nz’s resident sports news expert. He draws on his extensive sporting knowledge, his qualification in sports management and his passion for betting to provide the latest, most up to date information on sporting events in New Zealand and across the globe. Trent is a veritable treasure trove of sports information and has been betting online for several years. He prides himself in keeping his readers informed, and in always offering an unbiased standpoint that reflects exactly what’s going on in the sports world.
View Posts - Visit WebsiteYou May Also Like:
All Blacks Apologise For Careless Post
New Zealand’s All Blacks have now issued an apology for a controversial social media post made in support of International Women’s Day. The post applauded the wives of the team’s players for their support, but at the same time also featured a player who had assaulted his partner. An international ….
SA Set To Join Six Nations After 2025
The South African Springboks are reportedly open to joining the Six Nations after 2025 – this as a major overhaul of the global rugby calendar remains in motion. Brokers of the game are due to meet next month in order to finalise plans for a biennial global competition, and it ….
Kevin Gourdon Announces Early Retirement
France forward Kevin Gourdon has been forced into early retirement by a heart problem. Gourdon, who is 31, once accused the All Blacks of cheating. He’s known to have played some of his best rugby against New Zealand. According to the Frenchman, who confirmed his condition and decision to retire ….
Glenn Moore Says He Welcomes Inquiry
Black Ferns coach Glenn Moore has at long last broken his silence following serious allegations made by Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate. According to the player, she had suffered a serious mental breakdown as a direct result of comments made by Moore during last moth’s norther tour. Ngata-Aerengamate’s allegations include that of ….
Former Tonga Halfback Taniela Moa Dies
Former Tonga and Blues halfback Taniela Moa has died. He was only 36 and is understood to have died after a sudden medical event on Thursday morning. Born in Tonga, Taniela played 58 matches for his province between 2005 and the present day, while also helping his team to two ….