Home games finally on the cards
What the transtasman travel bubble means for New Zealand sport and teams
The transtasman bubble has finally arrived and will come into effect from April 19, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday. The news is a huge boost for New Zealand sport, with several teams competing in transtasman competitions having to base themselves in Australia.
Here’s all you need to know about what the transtasman bubble means for New Zealand sport.
League
Warriors chief executive Cameron George said the transtasman bubble announcement was a positive step towards the club returning home later in the NRL season.
George confirmed a month ago the Warriors had decided to extend their stay in Australia until June 21 while continuing to monitor developments.
“Our position is that we will stay in Australia until after playing Newcastle on June 19. We had discussions with the NRL and our players and staff about our plan to ensure we have some stability for the first 15 rounds of the season.
“Our desire hasn’t changed. We want to be back home as soon as it’s feasible so we can have our team playing in front of our families, members, fans and sponsors.”
Rugby
While the travel bubble doesn’t have any effect on the schedule and format of Super Rugby Aotearoa, the sixweek crossover tournament between New Zealand and Australian clubs is set to go ahead.
Super Rugby Transtasman will feature an additional 26 games over six straight weeks, kicking off on May 14, with a final scheduled for June.
All teams will play two home games and two away games, as well as a potential Super Round, where all matches played in round three will be played at one place over one weekend.
The transtasman bubble will also likely make All Blacks tests with the Wallabies significantly easier, providing a financial boost for both rugby governing bodies, as well as making fan travel possible.
Football
The Wellington Phoenix, who haven’t played an A-League match in New Zealand for more than a year, will continue to base themselves out of Wollongong in New South Wales.
However, the Phoenix are open to holding two A-League games in New Zealand.
“Although the club will continue to base itself out of Wollongong in New South Wales until the end of the season, this decision now opens up the possibility to play up to two matches in New Zealand during the 2020-21 A-League season,” the club said in a statement.
“The club has previously stated that returning home is a goal. It’s important for the fans, our corporate partners and of course players and staff members — some of whom will have been separated from their families for over six months.
“In anticipation of such an announcement being made, the club has been working on a plan to have the team and support staff return. This includes travel logistics, liaising with ticket providers and investigating accommodation arrangements for all the teams involved.
“With this announcement, these plans can now be accelerated.
“The club wishes to stress that no definitive decision on a return has been made as yet, particularly as there are a range of factors involved in this decision — not just for the club but the A-League in a wider sense, due to the risk involved in travelling to another country and the possibility of further Covid outbreaks in either country.”
Basketball
The Breakers have been based in Tasmania this year and will stay in Australia for now.
However, Breakers owner Matt Walsh said the team will be meeting with Australian NBL officials and hopes to get players back as soon as possible.
Veteran swingman Tom Abercrombie shared his reaction on YouTube: “It’s incredibly exciting for us to have something set in stone,” he said. “Having some certainty around that date has certainly given us a bit more pep in our step.
“We’ve been over here since early December, I believe.
“We’ve been here a long time, we’ve jumped from state to state, it sometimes feels like we’ve been everywhere but home, so the prospect of jumping back across the Ditch and seeing family and friends for us is an extremely exciting thought. It looks like things are on the up, and we’re excited to get home.”