Back in business.

Rugby is set to return in all of its wonderful glory next month with the fixtures for New Zealand’s brand new Super Rugby competition unveiled this morning.

Super Rugby Aotearoa will kick off next month (June) following today’s announcement that the country will move to COVID-19 alert level two on Thursday.

The domestic form of Super Rugby involving the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders will start on Saturday, June 13, allowing players four weeks to adequately prepare with contact training.

The competition will see the five Super Rugby clubs playing each other home and away over 10 weeks, with two matches every weekend at 5.05pm on Saturdays and 3.05pm on Sundays. All matches will be played in closed stadiums.

NZR Chief Executive Mark Robinson said he was delighted for fans that they would have top-quality rugby on their screens in just over a month.

“The thought of five world-class Kiwi teams battling it out in 20 matches over 10 weeks should put a smile back on the faces of many people. I know our players are excited and I’m sure rugby fans will be as well.”

Robinson said they always knew they had to take the Government’s lead on when it was safe for rugby to return, and now it was critical the sport did everything to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19.

“Medical and operational staff across NZR, the Players’ Association and the clubs have been working together to ensure we have detailed plans in place to protect the health and safety of everyone involved.”

As a result of the confirmation of the start of Super Rugby Aotearoa, NZR has now confirmed a start time for this year’s Mitre 10 Cup.

“With the support of the Provincial Unions, we have been able to schedule a full 14 team Mitre 10 Cup Premiership and Championship competition with kick off on 11 September,” said Robinson.

An amended Mitre 10 Cup draw will be released in due course.