NPC Covid interruption
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@stargazer Very interesting article. But for me there's still a lot of unknowns. When Auckland does come out of lockdown, and who knows when that will be, it's likely to be to Level 3. I'm picking down South will be Level 3 for a couple of weeks, unless of course a case of Covid is announced. I totally get people want the game to recommence, but with Super Rugby squads, to be named, player workload etc, etc, it's hard to see it happening.
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@billsy111 There are a lot of unknowns for everyone.
There's, however, another side to it as well that you haven't mentioned. Players need to play and not stay out of the game for too long. Player workload is not an issue if they have their usual Christmas break. They have plenty of rest, now.
Not all SR squads will have been finalised and some selection decision may depend on the NPC. SR franchises may want the comp to continue too, one way or another.
I kind of expect them to go to a shortened format, somehow. Cut out two cross-over games, no semi-finals (so straight to a final), for example. But obviously, it will indeed all depend on how long the level 3 and 4 alert levels last.
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This article from a couple of days ago mentions the options being discussed (quotes from Lancaster).
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@hydro11 said in NPC Covid interruption:
I would be guttered if the competition was just cancelled. It doesn't seem necessary. Fingers crossed it can restart in three weeks time.
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@bovidae said in NPC Covid interruption:
When Michaela Blyde said she was "guttered" in a post-match interview in Tokyo I couldn't stop laughing.
I think I saw that too... and Aaron Smith in a post-match, I think... along with some other language-faux-pas... but I can't remember which. Although - with "After-David" Aaron - I guess it's to be expected.
Unfortunately - it's high-profile, so-called "role models" using shit language on TV, that's going to have the kids using it more and more, until it becomes excused by "oh, yeah, but language is constantly evolving, so maybe it's not 'wrong' so much as 'evolved'".
Bullshit... "guttered" - doesn't make any sense. And it's not even being lazy... it's ADDING a fucking semi-syllable to the correct word.
Grumpy-Old-Man... signing off. -
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@shark said in NPC Covid interruption:
I hope they come back when the majority of the country is at L2 and base the greater Auckland and Northland squads out of area, and add midweek games.
The squads here up north can't leave under level 3 or 4, so that won't happen. But maybe other teams will play some games under level 2 if the rest of the country get there first.
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@shark they could look to move them out of Auckland/Northland now, 14 days iso somewhere...
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@taniwharugby said in NPC Covid interruption:
@shark they could look to move them out of Auckland/Northland now, 14 days iso somewhere...
Good call. The other element to this is whether the unions really want to spend the money on an extra 14 nights' accommodation, food etc somewhere and then only be able to train in small groups from Wednesday anyway.....
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@shark said in NPC Covid interruption:
@machpants good point. Unless they get a dispensation of some sort maybe
Not going to happen, imo.
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@machpants said in NPC Covid interruption:
@shark said in NPC Covid interruption:
@machpants good point. Unless they get a dispensation of some sort maybe
Not going to happen, imo.
Agree. No money in NPC and you would have to find a special ISO area for circa 120 pax for two weeks?
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So I guess our best case scenario now is two weeks at Levels 3 & 4 by region from Wednesday, then Auckland goes to L3 for two weeks (rest of NZ L2) and then Auckland goes to L2 on 29/09 and play can resume. At that stage I'd look to extend the comp by a month and add a couple of midweek games.
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@shark said in NPC Covid interruption:
So I guess our best case scenario now is two weeks at Levels 3 & 4 by region from Wednesday, then Auckland goes to L3 for two weeks (rest of NZ L2) and then Auckland goes to L2 on 29/09 and play can resume. At that stage I'd look to extend the comp by a month and add a couple of midweek games.
and why couldn't they just do that? It rolls over into Super Rugby pre-seasson but that shouldn't matter too much.
Daylight saving would be in effect so people may enjoy popping down to a 5:30-ish kick-off after work.
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@bovidae They'll have had six plus weeks off by the time the comp potentially resumes. Sure, it's not the same kind of break they'd have post-season, but much like the NBA, they need to appreciate who pays the bills and get back to work. I have zero sympathy in this situation.
