Breakers’ opener delayed by Covid
BASKETBALL
WELLINGTON: The Breakers’ opening Australian NBL game against the Perth Wildcats on January 17 has been postponed due to Covid restrictions.
Three days after issuing a revised tworound draw, the NBL has made further ‘‘unavoidable’’ changes for the opening round of the competition after Western Australia reinstated its hard border with Queensland following the threeday Brisbane lockdown.
The Wildcats have been in Queensland for preseason games and been caught out but remain hopeful they can get an exemption to return to Western Australia.
However, they would still be required to selfquarantine for 14days on their return, which rules out the opening game against the Breakers in Perth next Sunday.
The Breakers’ round two clash against the 36ers in Adelaide on January 20 is almost certain to be their opening game of the season, because there are no Covid cases in South Australia.
There are no plans for the Breakers to move away from their temporary base in Hobart before the start of the season as Tasmania also remains Covidfree.
The NBL will now stage games exclusively in South Australia and Queensland for the opening round.
NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said the league would continue to monitor the situation in Brisbane.
‘‘We will start the season in Cairns and Adelaide, but we will continue to monitor the situation in Brisbane in the hope we can also host a game there in the opening round,’’ Loeliger said.
‘‘We will continue to stay flexible and be guided by the relevant state health authorities but our intention is still for all teams to play 14 home games across the season when they are able to do so.’’
The NBL’s season has already been delayed by more than two months and was originally set to begin this weekend.
‘‘Under the current conditions, we understand the need to be flexible and able to adapt to schedule changes such as these,’’ Bullets chief executive Peter McLennan said.
‘‘Brisbane as a city needs to stay safe and get through this together, giving us every opportunity to host our season opener at Nissan Arena next Saturday afternoon.’’ — RNZ/AAP