Steve Lancaster, NZR General Manager Community Rugby, was pleased to have two weeks of NPC and FPC rugby scheduled and hopeful the teams based in the Auckland region could re-join the competition in coming weeks.
"We are reviewing the impact of the latest Government announcements and working through a number of options to ensure they can continue to safely play a part in both competitions. The Provincial Unions have shown their commitment and support for the competitions and especially Auckland, Counties Manukau and North Harbour who have been accommodating and understanding in these uncertain times," Lancaster said.
NZR's domestic competitions, which have been on hold since mid-August due to Covid-19, can resume under Alert Level 2, meaning teams outside of Auckland, which remains at Alert Level 4, are able to return to play from Friday.
Under Alert Level 2, all rugby activity throughout the rest of New Zealand can continue if Ministry of Health and NZ Rugby Covid-19 guidelines are followed, including restrictions on mass gathering, contact tracing and hygiene protocols.
Individual Provincial Unions will determine whether those guidelines are able to be met for this weekend's rugby and will communicate directly with their respective clubs and schools.
NPC Draw Week Three
Friday September 17 - Waikato v Canterbury, 7.05pm
Saturday September 18 - Taranaki v Wellington, 2.05pm
Saturday September 18 - Northland v Tasman, 4.35pm
Sunday September 19 - Hawke's Bay v Bay of Plenty (RS), 2.05pm
NPC Draw Week Four
Friday September 24 - Tasman v Waikato, 7.05pm
Saturday September 25 - Manawatu v Northland, 2.05pm
Saturday September 25 - Southland v Canterbury, 4.05pm
Sunday September 26 - Wellington v Hawke's Bay, 2.05pm
Sunday September 26 - Bay of Plenty v Taranaki, 4.05pm
FPC Week Six
Saturday September 18 - Bay of Plenty v Otago, 12.05pm
Waikato v Counties Manukau*
Wellington v Auckland*
* Games are cancelled due to Alert Level restrictions in the Auckland region, teams will receive two points each
FPC Week Seven
Saturday September 25 - Otago v Canterbury, 12.05pm
Saturday September 25 - Bay of Plenty v Wellington, 12.05pm
Saturday September 25 - Taranaki v Hawke's Bay, 1.05pm
Sunday September 26 - Tasman v Manawatu, 11.35am
North Harbour v Northland*
Auckland v Waikato*