All provincial and community rugby has been suspended - cancelled or postponed - for a second consecutive week, after the Government extended COVID-19 Alert Level 4 protocols.
Among the casualities of the latest lockdown are the national secondary schools 'Top 4' tournament, cancelled for the second straight year, after a similar lockdown 12 months ago.
Most of New Zealand is under Level 4 until Friday, with Auckland extended four days beyond.
"It's disappointing to have to keep our participants on the sidelines, but it's the right thing to do under the circumstances," says NZ Rugby community general manager Steve Lancaster.
"Although some parts of the country may be in a position to play on Saturday, teams would not have been able to train for two weeks, which potentially creates player welfare issues.
"Clubs and schools would not have adequate time from midnight Friday to prepare to host games within Government guidelines, so we will wait another week and hopefully rugby can play it’s part in helping the country stamp out this outbreak.
"We share the disappointment of players, fans and other stakeholders, and know it's especially tough for the secondary schools involved in the Top 4 tournament, which provides such a great finale to the First XV season."
NZ Rugby will await further lockdown announcements before adjusting its national competition formats.
"Everyone wants to be able to play the full schedule and that remains our goal," says Lancaster. "No decisions have been made, so we will pause and see what the Government says on Friday and make some calls from there."
The Heartland Championship was due to begin last weekend, while the NPC has completed two rounds and Farah Palmer Cup women's competition has been running for seven weeks.
Among the other casualties of the latest lockdown is the AIMS Games for intermediate and middle schools at Tauranga, scheduled for September 4-10, as well as all national secondary schools winter tournaments through to September 6.
