Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Draw Update

New Zealand Rugby has made the decision to delay the start of Sky Super Rugby Aupiki to ensure squads are not compromised by COVID-19 withdrawals.

All squads are currently impacted with players in isolation, this prevents the nib Blues from taking the field this weekend, while the Waitomo Chiefs Manawa and Matatū will now play a pre-season game this Saturday.

The revised format will see the round robin fixtures played across the three match-days currently scheduled, Thursday 10 March, Tuesday 15 March and Sunday 20 March, with a winner crowned based on competition points.

NZR General Manager Professional Rugby & Performance Chris Lendrum said with the evolving COVID-19 landscape this move is best for the competition.

“Clubs are currently managing and mitigating the exposure to COVID-19 in their teams and will relocate to their Taupō bubbles this week as planned.

“Our hope is that by delaying the start of the competition for an extra few days we’ll see players able to return into the environment after recovering from COVID-19, and Sky Super Rugby Aupiki will play out in the bubble.

“This delay and tweak to format gives us the best opportunity to see our teams and players compete in what is a crucial competition for women’s rugby in New Zealand,” said Lendrum.

A Blues spokesperson said they are thankful for the delay to the start of the comeptition.

"This should allow most of our players to be available for next week’s first round of games, the nib Blues players and staff who are unaffected will travel to Taupo and go into their bubble to await the arrival of other players after they are cleared."


Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Match Days

Saturday 5 March - Owen Delany Park, Taupō
Waitomo Chiefs Manawa v Matatū (pre-season)

Round One – Thursday 10 March – FMG Stadium Waikato
Hurricanes Poua v Blues, 3.35pm (Live on Sky Sport 1 & Prime)
Chiefs Manawa v Matatū, 7.05pm (Live on Sky Sport 1 & delayed on Prime)

Round Two – Tuesday 15 March – FMG Stadium Waikato
Waitomo Chiefs Manawa v Hurricanes Poua, 3.35pm (Live on Sky Sport 1 & Prime)
Blues v Matatū, 7.05pm (Live on Sky Sport 1 & delayed on Prime)
Round Three – Sunday 20 March – FMG Stadium Waikato
Matatū v Hurricanes Poua, 5.05pm (Live on Sky Sport 1 & delayed on Prime)
Blues v Waitomo Chiefs Manawa, 7.35pm (Live on Sky Sport 1 & Prime)

In Australia, all Sky Super Rugby Aupiki games will be live on Stan and in the USA, you can catch all the action on FloSports.

Follow all the action on @superrugbynz social channels.