Waikato teams leave Hamilton ahead of level three lockdown

The Waikato men’s and women’s rugby teams have managed to relocate to Cambridge ahead of Hamilton’s move back to Covid alert level three.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have confirmed the majority of the NPC and FPC teams’ players and staff made the move between 6pm and 10pm on Sunday.

Hamilton went into alert level three at midnight on Sunday for five days after the discovery of positive cases in Hamitlon East and Raglan.

The move would allow the Waikato women’s side to play in the FPC final against Canterbury in Christchurch on Saturday, provided there was no change to the rest of the country’s alert levels.

The squad were due to travel to Canterbury on Friday and would fly from Hamilton Airport, which was still operating under alert level two.

The Waikato NPC team had a bye this weekend.

NZR said the 14 FPC players and five staff and 31 NPC players were operating under strict Covid-19 protocols at a facility in Cambridge, where they would remain until further notice.

The remainder of the FPC squad were already located outside of Hamilton and would continue to be based at home.

All players and staff had been tested for Covid-19 by the Waikato team doctor and would remain isolated until they have returned negative tests.

The men’s and women’s groups were using separate facilities, were separated from other guests, and would not train together until all have returned negative Covid-19 tests.

NZR’s general manager of community rugby Steve Lancaster said the move was agreed in consultation with Waikato Rugby and the players.

“It was agreed to move players and staff out of Hamilton to ensure teams have the best possible chance to continue to take part in their respective competitions.

“The FPC final is this coming weekend and it was important for both Canterbury and Waikato to provide the best opportunity for the match to go ahead.

“We have taken all precautions and worked closely with Podium Lodge to ensure that all government health requirements are being met and there is no risk to the public.

“There will be no training for either team until negative tests are returned and there will be daily health checks by the team doctor.”

NZR said the government’s alert level announcement for the Auckland region on Monday afternoon would inform the next update on the NPC, specifically for the three Auckland-based teams.