Formal confirmation of venues will be available early next week.
The U85kg Final will be rescheduled to 18 July.
The following is the communication received from WRFU CEO Tong Gillies outlining the decision:
Dear Members,
Season Format & Competition Outcome
Following consultation with councils regarding venue availability and scheduling options, WRFU has carefully explored opportunities to provide clubs with the option of rescheduling Premier and Premier 2 fixtures during the coming week.
While there was a genuine desire and attempt to create playing
opportunities where possible, WRFU carefully considered the feedback received on Monday’s call, alongside venue availability, scheduling constraints, and the broader implications for the competition. We explored a range of alternatives, including mid-week fixtures and the availability of artificial turf venues, in an effort to provide clubs with a pathway to complete these matches. However, ongoing weather impacts, limited venue availability and the challenges associated with organising
meaningful competition fixtures at short notice ultimately constrained those options.
While mid-week rugby can work in some circumstances, delivering playoff rugby mid-week with only a few days' notice presents significant challenges for players, coaches, volunteers, officials, and clubs alike. It would also have created the prospect of some teams being required to play
two high-stakes matches within a matter of days, creating additional concerns around player availability, welfare, and competitive equity.
Having weighed our available options, it has been determined that maintaining the current season conclusion date of 25 July represents the fairest and most practical outcome for clubs, match officials, venue partners, and the wider
rugby community.
As a result, the highest qualifiers from each Premier Men’s and Premier 2 Men’s scheduled playoff matchup will progress to next week's playoff fixtures.
Acknowledging the
Impact
This decision has not been made lightly.
We recognise the effort, preparation, and commitment that teams have invested throughout the season and appreciate that this outcome will be particularly disappointing for
those clubs that had earned the opportunity to compete in the opening week of the playoffs.
After exhausting viable options and carefully considering the broader impact on the competition, WRFU believes this approach provides the greatest certainty for all participants while preserving the integrity of the season's conclusion.
Competition Updates
Emma Paisley, who is currently supporting the delivery of the All Blacks v Italy Test Match as part of WRFU's responsibilities as the host Provincial Union, will work through the competition updates and draw amendments in due course. I respectfully
request that communication directed toward Emma is limited until Monday please, at which time updated competition tables and playoff fixtures will be published on RX and circulated to clubs as per usual.
The full competition arrangements will apply:
- All scheduled round-robin fixtures will be
recorded as Match Not Played, with both teams receiving three competition points.
- The U85kg Final will be rescheduled to 18 July.
- The highest qualifiers from each Premier Men's and Premier 2 Men's scheduled playoff fixture will advance to the 18 July playoffs.
- College rugby is
largely unaffected, with no fixtures scheduled this weekend.
- The season will continue as planned, with club finals remaining scheduled for 25 July at Porirua Park.
Supporting Match Officials
WRFU met with WRRA on Tuesday evening to discuss opportunities to further align our collective efforts in supporting match officials and reinforcing a positive, safe, and respectful rugby environment.
Thank You
We acknowledge the frustration and disappointment many within our rugby community will feel and thank our clubs, players, coaches, volunteers, officials and supporters for their understanding, patience, and ongoing commitment to the values of our game.
Ngā mihi
Tony
