Club rugby in Dunedin will go ahead today but it is hoped no spectators will attend matches.
With the Covid-19 alert level staying at Level 2, club rugby from junior colts to premier will be played. Secondary schools and junior rugby is off.
The Council of Rugby Clubs is encouraging spectators to stay away, and premier games will start at the later time of 3pm. The limit on gatherings of 100 under Alert Level 2 also applies to rugby games.
Teams will have any after-match presentations on the field straight afterwards and the away team will not go into the home team clubrooms after the game.
Early games will start at 12.30pm and it is hoped all players in those games will have left the ground by the time late games start at 3pm. Players from the visiting team in the early games will simply get to the ground, warm up on the ground, play the game and then leave, without entering the changing rooms or clubrooms
Grounds will be controlled by volunteers and some will have security guards there to keep the crowds away and any there in check.
Otago Rugby Football Union general manager Richard Kinley said every club hosting a game had followed NZ Rugby guidelines, which were given to clubs on Thursday. Crowds would be managed and it would be a good test for the clubs today, he said.
The match between West Taieri and Clutha Valley in Outram for the Southern region title will go ahead.
Games may be livestreamed from various sites. Secondary school and junior games may be played next week.
