Australian and New Zealand rugby officials are looking at a rule change to allow Super Rugby games to start with uncontested scrums in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak this season.
As the Queensland Reds reel from a viral cluster that has infected five of their biggest names, competition administrators are working through the implications of widespread outbreaks.
A common pool of 30 club players has been created over and above each Super Rugby’s team’s extended squad to help plug any holes that may emerge due to the virus.
Safety considerations mean props will undergo extra training and monitoring to make sure they are up to Super Rugby standard.
However officials may also ask World Rugby to allow games to start with uncontested scrums in the event a team cannot field enough props to contest the set piece.
The Fijian Drua will take on the Waratahs in their first match at 8.45pm next Friday.
In the first match, the Blues play the Moana Pasifika at 6.05pm.
[Source: Stuff.co]
