NZ Rugby suffers new financial blow as Covid clouds hang over North v South game

On September 5th the North vs South match at Eden Park will be held without spectators unless entirely cancelled.

If the spectators are not allowed to attend the match New Zealand rugby might lose $1 million.

On Monday the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared that while New Zealand will remain at alert level 2, Auckland will stay at level 3 and will only be allowed gatherings of no more than 10.

NZ Rugby will not be allowed to move the game to Sky Stadium in Wellington, where spectators would be able to attend the game. An NZ Rugby representative said there would be no updates until the next day.

The organisation had to postpone the game from August 29th to September 5th as they could not get exemptions for 14 players and five staff members from Auckland.

NZ Rugby will have to try to get the exemption again or play the game at Eden Park without spectators, and that too if the alert level is reduced from 3 to 2. Whatever the decision might be, it will cause financial troubles for NZ Rugby.

Financially COVID-19 pandemic was a big hit for rugby union. The matches had to be cancelled and when they were held there were no spectators allowed; a big blow for clubs and venues.

However, fans are happy that they can at least live-stream the competitions. Not long ago even that was not happening with fans having to be satisfied with finding entertainment through things like video games.

Devoted gamers who possess consoles such as PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or PC enjoyed playing rugby – based video games. Along with PS and Xbox, iGaming platforms got another level of popularity during the pandemic.

Fans found the substitute for the athletic competitions that were paused on iGaming platforms, the popularity of iGaming grew for that reason. In the last few years, iGaming brands have adapted many popular sports and video games (including popular characters).

Creating rugby theme casino slot machines would be a good move from both sides. Rugby union already partnered with the console gaming industry and doing the same with iGaming brands would increase the number of satisfied fans.

Sports-based games became more popular on the iGaming platforms than they were before the pandemic.

Scotland is further lifting the COVID-19 restrictions. Amateur football and rugby teams are allowed to hold training sessions with fifteen or fewer people. The amusement arcades, bingo halls, funfairs, casinos, snooker halls, and driving lessons also resumed but with limited capacity. Outdoor activities including live shows, concerts, and comedy shows are also allowed to take place.

All the events will have to follow the new guidelines of social distancing and hygiene. None of these activities have been allowed since the country went into lockdown in March. In an interview with BBC Radio Broughton Rugby team’s Captain Lauren park said that they are very excited to resume training.

They have not been able to get together since March. The team is planning to work in two groups of fifteen on different areas of the pitch. The balls will be disinfected after each training. The team kept the athletic spirit through Zoom work-outs that they did together, but they are happy to get back together physically.