The Covid-19 alert level 4 lockdown has led to the cancellation or postponement of this weekend’s provincial rugby matches and all community and school rugby. New Zealand Rugby (NZR) made the announcement on Wednesday after the return of Covid-19 cases in the community in Auckland. Michael Bradley/Getty Images Liam Messam, centre, and the Waikato NPC team will not be celebrating the union’s centenary on Saturday as planned. However, provincial unions and their local organising bodies will determine whether those matches are cancelled or postponed. The start of last year's provincial rugby competitions were also impacted by Auckland's Covid-19 outbreak last August.

Source: Stuff August 17, 2021 23:48 UTC