All rugby in New Zealand has been suspended for an indefinite period.
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson. Photo: Photosport
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) made the announcement today after the New Zealand government raised the coronavirus alert status to level three.
All New Zealand teams would cease training, but no decision had been made on the future of Super Rugby or the All Blacks Tests scheduled for July.
Plans for a revised Super Rugby competition were on hold.
NZR chief executive Mark Robinson said the priority was the health and welfare of the players, management and the wider rugby community.
"Following the New Zealand government's lifting of the coronavirus alert status to level 3, all rugby in New Zealand will be suspended for the foreseeable future," the NZR statement said.
"SANZAAR, New Zealand Rugby (NZR), New Zealand's Super Rugby Clubs and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) had been working on ways to progress a revised Super Rugby competition but these plans are now on hold following today's government announcement.
"All New Zealand teams will cease training, and at this stage there are no decisions on the future of the Investec Super Rugby competition or the All Blacks Tests scheduled for July."
There had been plans at NZR to hold a domestic tournament, involving the five New Zealand Super Rugby teams in matches played at empty stadiums.