The trans-Tasman shearing and woolhandling championships are postponed until 24-26 November. Photo: 123rf
The first trans-Tasman shearing and woolhandling test matches in more than two years have been postponed because of severe flooding in Victoria.
Heavy rain has led to widespread flooding in multiple states - forcing people to evacuate their homes.
The New Zealand shearing team was set to travel to the Australian National Championships in Bendigo Victoria this weekend but the venue, the Prince of Wales Showgrounds, has been declared an emergency evacuation centre for those displaced by floodwaters.
Sports Shear Australia has been told the grounds could be used as an evacuation centre for some time so the shearing championships have been postponed until 24-26 November.
This weeks trans-Tasman event was set to be first since 2020 when the pandemic put a halt to international competitions.
Shearing Sports New Zealand chairman Sir David Fagan conceded there would be difficulties and possible extra cost in rebooking a team of nine, including seven competitors but said: "It's not the end of the world. For a lot of people over there it is the end of the world - they've got a lot more to worry about. Naturally it's those people that we are thinking of and are concerned for."
Sports Shear Australia chairman Dave Lawrence, who told teams across the six states and the New Zealand of the change of plans, said everyone understood using the venue as an evacuation centre was much more important than shearing.