The return of two of Kiwis' favourite sports is on the horizon, with the Government confirming professional netball and rugby can resume when the country shifts to alert level two.
Newshub understands June 13 is the target date to kick off 'Super Rugby Aotearoa', with New Zealand Rugby revealing plans for an improvised version of the competition.
"I'm jumping out of my wetsuit," Crusaders coach Scott Robertson told Newshub.
Thursday's announcement allayed fears among both players and coaches the season may be over for good.
"I think disappointment that we wouldn't be able to play was a big thing for most people," said Hurricanes captain TJ Perenara.
The revised competition will feature:
- All five Kiwi sides will face off over 10 weeks.
- Each side will play each other twice, once at home and once away.
- Two matches per weekend, with one team having a bye.
But the support will come from the couches, with all matches to be played in empty stadiums.
"There's a lot of drama in a game of footy and a lot of people who love it," Robertson added. "So they can get back to loving their weekends again."
But the competition is a mere band-aid for New Zealand Rugby, which is staring at a significant financial shortfall.
"It will help begin to drive some revenue back into the game," said chief executive Mark Robinson. "But we've still got a long way to go."
While Super Rugby's hiatus has hurt all franchises financially, it was a setback to the Blues positive early season form as well.
The coach is confident they'll rediscover it with help from their star signing.
"Beauden is fit and available for selection," MacDonald confirmed. "He's been part of all of our group trainings and strategy meetings and he'll be pushing hard to play in that first game."
While this competition won't go down as an official Super Rugby title for the winner, that's not to say they won't be celebrating like it is.
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