MELBOURNE - The Super Rugby competition has been thrown into doubt midway through the season after New Zealand imposed fresh travel restrictions aimed at combating the spread of the coronavirus.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that everyone entering the country from midnight Sunday must self-isolate for 14 days in an effort to contain the outbreak.
The directive will effectively prevent teams from travelling to New Zealand for games in the mainly southern hemisphere competition, which features sides from Australia, South Africa, Argentina and Japan.
Governing body SANZAAR said it was reviewing the "full impact" of the New Zealand government's decision but would not comment until its executive committee had determined "an appropriate course of action and all stakeholders have been informed."
The Lions, who lost to the Blues on Saturday, and the Bulls are current in New Zealand and Australia respectively, with the Stormers set to start their tour next month.