The Auckland Rugby League have tonight opted to cancel the remainder of the club rugby league season in the wake of Auckland’s continued stay at COVID Alert Level 4.
No further play is deemed possible, and no winners will be confirmed but the promotion and relegation portion of the season will stay due to the regular season being completed.
That means the Manukau Magpies will play in the SAS Fox Memorial Premiership Qualifiers while the Papakura Sea Eagles will drop down to the Fox Memorial Championship Qualifiers in 2022.
ARL Chairman Greg Whaiapu confirmed the decision via a statement on Thursday night.
“The Government’s extension of Alert Level 4 in the Auckland region for another two weeks until at least 14 September has now forced the cancellation of the remainder of the season for all Auckland Rugby League grades,” the statement read.
“The decision, which has been endorsed by the ARL Board of Directors – means all competition grades from U13 up to the SAS Fox Memorial premiership are now cancelled, with mini/mod (U6-U12) grades having already been cancelled last week. No winners will be declared for any competition grade.
“As well as running out of time to safely complete the season before the impending New Zealand Rugby League National Competitions and the start of the summer sports season, the ARL has an obligation to prioritise the health and safety of all participants.”
The Otahuhu Leopards were the only South Auckland club to have qualified for the semi-finals of the SAS Fox Memorial Premiership while the Magpies were the only local club in the semi-finals of the Fox Memorial Championship when COVID struck.
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