NPC set to go but not in Auckland

New Zealand Rugby has confirmed the NPC, Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) and Heartland Championship, outside of Auckland, will resume from next Friday, September 17.

Confirmation of the restart date for New Zealand’s three national domestic rugby competitions comes following the Government’s announcement on Monday that all of New Zealand, apart from Auckland, will move down to Covid-19 alert level 2 from today.

At alert level 2, teams at all levels of rugby can safely return to training from today but NZR has stipulated matches will not resume until Friday, September 17, to ensure players have sufficient time to safely prepare.

NZR is making plans for Auckland, North Harbour and Counties Manukau NPC teams to play catch-up matches later in the season, subject to them moving to alert level 2.

The Auckland region remains at level 4 until at least 11.59pm on Tuesday, September 14.

NZR will release a revised draw for

We are making plans for Auckland, North Harbour and Counties Manukau to rejoin.

Steve Lancaster

the NPC, FPC and Heartland Championship soon.

NZR general manager community rugby Steve Lancaster said it was great to provide some certainty for players, fans and stakeholders.

“It’s great to be in a position where our teams and fans can look forward to some rugby again. Although we’d love to get everyone back out there this weekend, player safety must be our priority, so we have built in a week for our teams to prepare before they return to the field.

“And importantly, with play resuming next weekend, we are planning to play the full schedule of matches in all three competitions, with later completion dates for each.

“We know it’s a tough situation for everyone in Auckland, but we are taking a positive view that the alert levels will go down and we are making contingency plans for Auckland, North Harbour and Counties Manukau to rejoin the competitions with minimal disruption when able.”