The revised 2021 National Provincial Championship has eliminated promotion-relegation, with NZ Rugby releasing a revised draw that excludes Auckland-based teams.
North Harbour, Auckland and Counties-Manukau have been forced to withdraw from the competition, because of the continued COVID-19 Alert Level 3 status in the region.
NZR confirms playoffs will be held for both the premiership and championship in November, but has scrapped its traditional promotion-relegation, due to the absence of the three northern sides.
The remaining four weeks of round-robin matches have been scheduled, with the semi-finals and finals pencilled in for late November.
A weekly non-competition match has been introduced for teams due to meet the Auckland region sides to ensure teams don't go two weeks without playing.
Non-competition matches hosted by the Ranfurly Shield holders - currently Hawke's Bay - will not be considered mandatory challenges.
NZR community general manager Steve Lancaster is pleased with the announced format, despite the "unavoidable" unfortunate circumstances.
"It wasn't an easy decision to remove promotion and relegation," Lancaster says.
"We realise this is disappointing for some teams, but with the Auckland region unable to compete, we needed to ensure the competition outcomes are as fair as possible and we also don't know with any certainty that further teams won't be impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, before the end of the competition.
"The Super City competition for Auckland-based teams is still an option, and we continue to work with the teams and key partners on the feasibility of making this happen.
"Our hope is to have an update later this week."
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