New Zealand is probably the first nation in the world to be completely eradicated of its risk of suffering future COVID-19 infections, and subsequent easing of the previous measures were made in heaps today in Auckland, as the traditionally rugby-fanatic nation were eager to fill out Auckland’s Eden Park for a rugby match.
The sheer size of the crowds gathered was simply the best in 15 years. The Auckland Blues were competing against Wellington Hurricanes, and they beat the other team 30-20 in the Aotearoa games.
This has been done after New Zealand’s last patient, a 50s’ woman have successfully tested negative for her virual infection after going into treatment. She showed no symptoms for the last 48 hours she remained in captivity, and St Margaret’s Hospital and Rest Home in Auckland on Monday.
The drawcard for fans to the match on Sunday was not only the opportunity to attend live rugby again, without limitations on crowd size or requirements to social distance or wear masks.point 154 | Many turned out to see the debut for the Blues of All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett, who previously played all of his 120 Super Rugby matches for the Hurricanes.point 288 |
Barrett started at fullback on Sunday but spent some of his time at first receiver, doubling in that role with flyhalf Otere Black who helped the Blues win five of seven matches in the full Super Rugby tournament before the five-nation competition was abandoned because of the coronavirus outbreak.point 250 | 1
Sunday’s match follows Saturday’s opening game in Dunedin between home team the Highlanders and the Hamilton-based Chiefs, which drew a capacity crowd of 22,000.
That was the first major professional rugby match to be played in front of a crowd since the Covid-19 outbreak forced the suspension of most sports in mid-March. Sunday’s match went one step further and brought twice as many fans to the larger Eden Park, the biggest Super Rugby crowd at the central Auckland stadium since 2005 when Tana Umaga, now a Blues assistant coach, played his 100th match for the Hurricanes.
‘I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who came out. I know we’ve been through tough times and to have a crowd like this for a Super Rugby game is pretty special,’ Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu said.
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