Coronavirus: Jaguares-Highlanders cancelled as Super Rugby prepares for hiatus

SANZAAR has confirmed the planned Super Rugby fixture between Jaguares and Highlanders, scheduled to be played on Saturday, has been cancelled.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has caused events and competitions across the globe to be put on hold as governments aim to combat its spread.

On Saturday, it was confirmed Super Rugby would be postponed indefinitely after the current round of fixtures, meaning Sunday’s fixture between the Brumbies and the Waratahs was due to be the last fixture for the foreseeable future.

SANZAAR’s decision to halt the season came after New Zealand’s government announced stringent new rules, with visitors or returning travellers told to self-isolate for 14 days.

These restrictions come into place from midnight Sunday in New Zealand.

Now, Saturday’s game between Jaguares and Highlanders in Buenos Aires will not go ahead, allowing the Dunedin-based side to travel back to New Zealand early.

UPDATE | All #SuperRugby has been suspended for the foreseeable future, including today’s @JaguaresARG v @Highlanders match in Buenos Aires.

MORE DETAILS https://t.co/9w1537hzU0 pic.twitter.com/5Dbi6Qdge9

— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) March 14, 2020

Andy Marinos, SANZAAR’s CEO, said: “SANZAAR does not take this decision lightly, but after consulting widely with key stakeholders, the SANZAAR Executive Committee has taken the necessary step to cancel the scheduled fixture, with the players’ and team management’s health and welfare paramount.

“As stated previously, while disappointed to be in this position, our priority is to ensure the players currently overseas return home healthy and safely to be with their families.”

The match will officially be declared a draw and both teams will receive two points.

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