Feast for viewers . . . if you like Aussie Rules

The erosion of professional and community sport because of the coronavirus pandemic leaves sport fanatics at a loose end this weekend – or does it?

The extraordinary developments of the last week have wiped out the sporting calendar in New Zealand for the foreseeable future.

That means plenty of time on the couch but this weekend is the first without a typical plethora of sports available for Kiwis on television in March, as well as no Saturday afternoon escape at local club sport because that, too, has been postponed.

However, there will not be a complete absence of live sport because Australian football codes are carrying on with the NRL (rugby league), AFL (Australian Rules football) and the A-League (football) resuming, albeit in empty stadiums because of a ban on mass gatherings.

The Warriors (NRL) and Wellington Phoenix (A-League) will continue playing in their respective competitions in Australia in the meantime, having decided to base themselves over there and not stay at home in New Zealand.

The Phoenix will not take the field for the next two rounds because of their 14 days in self-isolation after arriving in Sydney on Wednesday.

The Warriors stayed on in Australia after their 20-0 defeat to the Newcastle Knights last Saturday.

The highlight of the weekend for a Kiwi audience should be when the Warriors ‘host’ the Canberra Raiders on the Gold Coast in the first of three NRL fixtures today from 5pm on Sky Sport.

The pandemic’s impact on sport is dreadfully uncertain and the situation around the globe is changing rapidly as the coronavirus outbreak continues to wreak havoc on all aspects of life.

Enjoy the sport available while you can because it could be gone next weekend. It can provide relief in these troubling times.