The Super Rugby Pacific pre-season 2022 two matches were canceled due to the Covid-19 restrictions. The Super Rugby Pacific pre-season 2022 event will start before the Super Rugby Pacific 2022.
On Tuesday, the Highlanders confirmed that New Zealand's nationwide entry into a red-light Covid environment led to the cancellation of its match against Moana Pasifika, which is scheduled to play on 11 February in Queenstown.
Across Australia's Tasman Sea, updated Western Australia border restrictions also forced the Western Force to play a pre-season match against Fijian Drua in Ballina.
The statement comes a day after the Crusaders declared their pre-season match with the Hurricanes, the game will be moved from Blenheim to Christchurch and will be played without audiences.
The Highlanders added that its other pre-season game - scheduled for next Friday's annual Farmland Cup against the Crusaders in Oamaru - will now also be played without spectators.
The Dunedin-based team's decision to stop the match against Moana Pasifika comes as a double blow to Queenstown as last year's Trans-Tasman Super Rugby game between the Highlanders and the Melbourne Rebels was moved to Sydney during a travel break between New Zealand and Victoria.
On Tuesday, Highlanders said in a statement that the game against Moana Pacifika could resume on Feb. 11 if a new location is found. See the Super Rugby Pacific Pre-Season Schedule below:
Date | Match | Venue |
Saturday, 29 January | Waratahs vs Brumbies | Bowral |
Friday, 4 February | Moana Pasifika vs Chiefs | Auckland |
Friday, 4 February | Crusaders vs Highlanders | Oamaru |
Saturday, 5 February | Waratahs vs West Harbour | Hunter Wildfires, Western Sydney Two Blues, Eric Tweedale Stadium, Parramatta |
Saturday, 5 February | Hurricanes vs Blues | Takapuna |
Saturday, 5 February | Queensland Reds vs Western Force | Ballymore Stadium |
Thursday, February 10 | Melbourne Rebels vs Fijian Drua | Melbourne |
Friday, 11 February | Blues vs Chiefs | Te Puke |
Friday, 11 February | Crusaders vs Hurricanes | Christchurch |
Saturday, 12 February | Queensland Reds vs Waratahs | Roma |