Highlanders see ‘light at end of the tunnel’

Super Rugby franchises see ‘‘see some light at the end of the tunnel’’, even as the waiting game goes on.

Sport Minister Grant Robertson gave the sporting world some hope on Tuesday by indicating that some action could return at Alert Level 2. For Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark, those comments were enough to provide a cautious bit of optimism in these trying times for the industry.

‘‘Like everybody who read those comments it gave us a bit of hope, but there’s been nothing confirmed,’’ Clark told Stuff yesterday.

‘‘There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes, both at our level and New Zealand [Rugby] level, coordinated as far as what could it look like, just like all other businesses.

‘‘. . . but like everyone we’re still in that guessing game.

‘‘I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel but I’ve got no idea of the dates.’’

Conversations are ongoing between New Zealand Rugby, the government and Sport NZ to work out the details of what would be required to restart a domestic version of Super Rugby, but a number of boxes would have to be ticked.

Clark said the Highlanders were simply desperate to get back into their mahi as a team.

‘‘I saw some rowers on the TV last night and we’re the same,’’ Clark said. ‘‘You can stay on an erg for so long but it’s not the same as being out on the water.

‘‘We play to be with our mates. All athletes, not just rugby players, will be champing at the bit.

‘‘My personal view is that if the NRL gets back [in late May], that will then set a precedent.

‘‘Not everyone is going to follow that, but sooner the social and economic side needs to be put with the health side.

‘‘My view is that if you start opening bars, you can go to the hairdressers and the schools are open, then why wouldn’t we be able to play sport?’’

The unprecedented pause in the Super Rugby season is creating all manner of unforeseen circumstances.

Stuff reported last week that Sam Whitelock could make an unexpected return for the Crusaders this year, and while Clark ruefully acknowledged that ‘‘we don’t have a Whitelock up our sleeves’’, the break would allow the Highlanders’ lengthy injury list to abate.

Clark also confirmed that the coronavirus crisis had pushed back a decision on the future of head coach Aaron Mauger and the makeup of their 2021 coaching team.

‘‘We’ve done a review of the first part of the year, internally,’’ Clark said. ‘‘But [coaching decisions] won’t happen until we have our end of season review, so that will be pushed back to the end of the year. Our coaches and our staff are normally contracted through to December anyway. There’s no time pressure.’’