No need for limits on spectators Otago unlikely to face Barretts
SPORTS CROWDS RUGBY
CROWDS are back.
That was the main message sports fans will have taken from yesterday’s government announcement.
New Zealand, outside Auckland, has returned Covid19 Alert Level 1.
That means gathering limits are gone and live sport is back on the radar.
Anyone wanting to make plans to watch Otago’s Ranfurly Shield challenge against Taranaki in Inglewood on Sunday is in luck.
It also means fans can enjoy the Otago’s men’s and women’s of to doubleheader the following Sunday at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Notably, it is the Spirit’s only remaining home game.
Both teams played their first home games in an empty stadium.
Southland fans will be able to catch their team facing North Harbour in Invercargill on Saturday, while North Otago supporters will be able to watch their side host Mid Canterbury.
It will also allow fans to catch the tail end of the season for the club sports still operating.
The timing was unfortunate for rugby and netball, both of which had their finals last weekend. Football, basketball and hockey still have games remaining in their top grades though.
The Dunedin Thunder and Queenstown’s Stampede will also be able to have fans at their remaining ice hockey matches.
For those involved at a community level it will be welcome move too, as it will for those facilitating at places such as the Edgar Centre.
No more waiting around in the foyer for the games before you to finish.
No more directing players in and out of bubbles or sanitising between games.
WHETHER Otago will face a pair of Barretts in Sunday’s Ranfurly Shield challenge remains unconfirmed.
But it seems unlikely. Brothers Beauden and Jordie Barrett both joined the 35man All Black squad which met for a threeday camp in Whakatane today.
Both were vital in Taranaki’s 2322 upset of Canterbury to claim the Ranfurly Shield on Saturday.
It was a result that leaves Otago with a shot at the Log o’ Wood in Inglewood this weekend.
The task may be made a little easier too.
The entire
All Black squad was available for the players’
Mitre 10 Cup sides over the first two rounds.
Now it will be decided on a casebycase basis.
Otago head coach Tom Donnelly was unsure whether the All Blacks would be available when asked after Sunday’s win over Manawatu.
However, if there was to be limited availability, the Barretts would have to be at the top of the list to not play.
Beauden is a twotime world player of the year, while Jordie has taken his game to another level this year after making 17 appearances for the national side since 2017.
Lock Tupou Vaa’i completes Taranaki’s All Black trio and may be more likely to be released for game time.
Otago will not be impacted either way as the side is without players in the 35man squad.
Josh Ioane and Liam Coltman both bring All Black experience to the team though.