Prop’s Super debut to an empty arena
Ethan de Groot’s entrance into the Super Rugby arena will come with a twist tomorrow.
The Southland prop is set to come off the bench to play his first Super Rugby game for the Highlanders against Argentinian team the Jaguares.
However, it will only be those at home watching on television that will witness it. The grandstands will be empty in what will be a special occasion for the former Southland Boys’ High School pupil.
The Jaguares announced yesterday that the Super Rugby match will be played in front of no spectators in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
‘‘In view of the coronavirus (Covid-19) spread in Argentina, we inform that the match between Jaguares and Highlanders will be held as a closed-door event at Jose Amalfitani Stadium, in accordance with the measure taken by the Government of the City of Buenos Aires which includes all mass events,’’ the team said in a statement.
‘‘We assume our responsibility as organisers in the face of a public health issue that is threatening society as a whole.’’
Southland Stags coach Dale MacLeod acknowledged it would be bizarre watching the game unfold on television without any spectators in the stands.
However, he said it would not distract from what would be a big weekend for Southland rugby.
On top of de Groot’s debut, fellow Southland Stags prop Joe Walsh is also set to make his Super Rugby debut if he comes off the bench for the Blues.
The Blues take on South African team the Lions in Auckland today.
‘‘I’m real proud of their achievements. It is pretty cool for us, really,’’ MacLeod said. ‘‘It’s great for Southland rugby to have that genuine pathway for guys coming through. There’s some really good things starting to happen.’’
Last year the Stags had just Marty McKenzie playing Super Rugby and MacLeod was delighted the team’s representation at that level had grown this year.
In regards to players playing professionally, MacLeod said it was ‘‘daylight to dark’’ in comparing where the Stags were at last year versus this year.
Of the 17 players contracted to date, 12 of them are involved in professional setups throughout the world. The latest signing was lock Mike McKee, who is playing in Spain at the moment but will return to add to his 29 caps with the Stags.