Central North rugby clubs have voted to try and finish the season, with the final two rounds of the season scrapped and a shortened two-week finals series earmarked.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The COVID response plan was formulated during a Zoom meeting between the CNRU executive, the clubs and "other stakeholders" on Saturday.
The plan states that the season should resume as soon as possible.
A September 18 deadline has been set for the first week of the finals - dubbed "super Saturday". The deadline for the grand final day is September 25.
Read also:
The season is currently suspended because of the statewide lockdown.
The regular season has been concluded, after rounds 17 and 18 were aborted and the round 17 results between Gunnedah and Narrabri erased because other matches that round were abandoned due to the pandemic.
Gunnedah are the first-grade minor premiers. Their last premiership was in 1970.
Pirates are the second grade and women's sevens minor premiers.
Following adjustments for remaining first-grade byes, Gunnedah are scheduled to play fourth-placed Pirates in one elimination final, while second-placed Narrabri are slated to meet third-placed Walcha in the other elimination final.
The winners of the elimination finals will meet in the grand final the following Saturday. The highest-ranked winner of the two elimination finals will host the grand final.
In a statement, the CNRU said the plan was enacted "with a clear edict from NSW Country [Rugby Union] to formalise completions [of competitions] as quickly as possible".
It added: "The CRNU appreciates the goodwill by which these last few weeks have been negotiated by all the stakeholders of the game.
"It remains the view of the CNRU executive that the safety of our communities is the priority but with a desire to see a result delivered in Central North in 2021."
The CRNU said it was "hopeful" the plan would "allow that to occur".
It also said that "if and when it is possible to return to the field", it would stage matches based on return-to-play protocols "as guided" by the state government and the NSW Country Rugby Union.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark northerndailyleader.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
Mark Bode
I’m passionate about writing stories that resonate with people. And I’m genuinely interested in the people I interview; I want to know about them and present their stories in a meaningful way.
I’m passionate about writing stories that resonate with people. And I’m genuinely interested in the people I interview; I want to know about them and present their stories in a meaningful way.
