More disruption could be on the way for the Super Rugby Pacific schedule, with the Crusaders in a race against time to be able to field a side for Saturday's clash with the Chiefs.
Newshub understands the 12-time champions won't have their full contingent of players back training until later this week, leaving them with just a couple of days to be ready for the Chiefs.
While the franchise remained upbeat about their chances of playing, it's understood the COVID-19 outbreak hit their squad in several different waves. That means that while some players have been cleared to return, most won't be back until later this week.
That leaves just a few days to prepare for a Chiefs side who are widely seen as the form team of the competition, and who the Crusaders lost to in their last outing.
Newshub understands the side have until Friday to make a call on whether they can field a team, with Saturday morning also an option in an absolute worst case scenario.
Another postponement would be the last thing NZ Rugby and the competition's committee need amid an already heavily disrupted schedule for the NZ-based sides.
Three matches have already been rescheduled among Kiwi franchises, with another three to be announced in the coming days.
One of those will be the Crusaders clash with rivals the Blues, and Newshub understands the weekend of April 15th has been tabled as the most likely date for that fixture.
Both the Crusaders and Blues are scheduled to have byes that weekend.
Firstly, Scott Robertson's men have their eyes firmly fixed on redemption against the Chiefs, but will be in a race against time to ensure they get it this weekend.
