Canes boss wants fans back too

The first part of Avan Lee’s dream outcome for 2020 has been realised with the news that Super Rugby has been all but green-lighted for a mid-June New Zealand-only resumption.

Now the Hurricanes boss waits on tenterhooks over whether he can get the other component of his ideal scenario over the line and open his doors to fans some time before the competition concludes at the end of August.

He is not without hope, even though the conservative approach to battling this Covid-19 pandemic seems to conspire against him.

Over the initial period at least, while restrictions on the size of gatherings remain in place, the hybrid Super Rugby competition, to be played out over 10 weeks (two full rounds, home and away) in a league-style format (no finals), will be behind closed doors. Matches will be played under strict health protocols with essential personnel only allowed at grounds, understood to be capped at 100 among the non-playing environment.

That leaves members and fans restricted to armchair viewing only and franchises severely limited in terms of revenue gains. Clubs make most of their income from gate-takings and though the mooted resumption, which will be rubber-stamped once the Government announces the timetable for the return to alert level 2, will have some benefits in terms of sponsorship, there remains a desire to open the gates if at all possible.

‘‘We’re delighted,’’ Lee told Stuff of a decision that had put a spring in the step of rugby folk all over the country. ‘‘It’s been a difficult time for everybody in New Zealand and we’ve just been in a waiting game of uncertainty.

‘‘The ability to be able to go to our stadiums and see games would be awesome for all five clubs.’’

Avan Lee Hurricanes CEO

‘‘We’re still not 100 per cent sure when and what training will look like, but we know we’ll be able to play rugby under alert level 2, and a lot of people are very happy at the Hurricanes today and I’m sure our fans and members see it the same way.’’

Lee confirmed the players would need three to four weeks to be match ready and accepted that the franchises would be fully guided around their four home matches by the Government’s health protocols.

‘‘Everyone is really keen to get back into it,’’ he added. ‘‘We’re not sure about the fan piece and whether our members and fans can come to games.

‘‘It doesn’t sound like it to start with, but we’re hopeful that will change. There are some positive murmurings about that.’’

Lee remained hopeful that gates could be opened some time at the back end of the competition.

‘‘That’s what we’ve been told. No one is able to commit to that because there’s a bit of water to go under the bridge. The Prime Minister said there will be no crowds to start with but she gave some indication that would be reviewed.

‘‘Clearly that would be great for a lot of people who are missing their sporting fix and the ability to be able to go to our stadiums and see games would be awesome for all five clubs.’’