Moana Pasifika say they're doing everything they can to play their opening Super Rugby Pacific match this weekend.
Photo: Photosport
The new team's competition debut last weekend was postponed after members of their wider group, including players, tested positive for Covid-19 inside the Super Rugby bubble in Queenstown.
Having spent a week-and-a-half in isolation, a large chunk of the group were released on Sunday, raising hopes their rescheduled game against the Chiefs this Sunday could go ahead.
After 11 days locked inside their hotel rooms, Moana Pasifika coach Aaron Mauger said it was hard to overstate how good it felt for the first group of players and staff to be granted their freedom.
"It's great to hear the players talk about how grateful they are.
"Grateful to be outside, grateful to have the sun on their face, grateful to be together in a huddle actually throwing a rugby ball around.
"The most basic simple things in life have really been appreciated."
Mauger wasn't saying exactly how many Moana Pasifika players contracted Covid.
But he admitted it was "a lot more" than the seven cases announced when the outbreak was initially confirmed.
15 players and a couple of staff were still awaiting their release over the next couple of days.
Mauger said it had been challenging, given their hotel was not set up for MIQ.
"We weren't able to leave the rooms...
"You opened the door to receive your breakfast, lunch and dinner and that was about as far as we got.
"When we were released yesterday, it actually felt a bit mischievous walking down the corridor.
"You were waiting for the principal to open his door and tell you to get back into your classroom."
Moana Pasifika reveal their home jerseys for the Super Rugby Pacific competition in 2022. Photo: Moana Pasifika
The end to that isolation meant Moana Pasifika's game against the Chiefs this weekend may now be possible.
New Zealand Rugby had shifted the match from Friday night to Sunday afternoon to give the team more time, and Mauger said a few players from other teams may be necessary.
"For us to realistically entertain being able to play a game as Moana Pasifika, we'd need to be up around 19 [players available].
"We could probably handle four guys coming in with three or four days prep. Anything more than that and it becomes a bit shambolic."
After a couple of on-field training sessions with the players who had been released, Mauger was cautiously optimistic they would get there.
With a deadline of Wednesday set for a decision on the match, he said all their focus was on safely preparing enough players to play.
"NZR have been really helpful. They've put a process in place for return to play for Covid positive cases.
"We've been following that, along with the advice of our own medical staff, and doing everything we can to get on the field as soon as possible without compromising the health and safety of anybody
"It's a bit of a balancing act and it will be a bit of a squeeze, but we're doing everything we can."
If they did do that this weekend, it may be the only match Moana Pasifika played in the Queenstown bubble.
A report from Stuff on Monday indicated all teams may return to their respective bases next week - one week ahead of schedule.
NZR said they had signalled previously they would bring the teams home earlier if possible, adding they were currently looking at a range of options.