Use pencil just in case, but it looks as though Covid-19 may force yet another change to the Super Rugby Pacific schedule.
The Highlanders cancelled yesterday’s training session and axed a planned media conference as well, "due to a growing number of Covid cases across players and staff".
"The Highlanders can confirm that Covid is further impacting our squad this week," Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said.
"Along with New Zealand Rugby, we are working through the full impact of this situation, including in regards to this week’s fixture against Moana Pasifika, and will announce any changes in due course.
"We hope to be in a position to provide an update on developments by [today]."
The Blues-Crusaders game in Christchurch on Saturday is also looking doubtful.
The Blues confirmed yesterday they have more confirmed cases of Covid-19.
They stood down three players for last week’s 32-20 win over the Highlanders in Albany.
The Hurricanes were unable to field a side against Moana Pasifika in Wellington last weekend, and Moana Pasifika missed the opening two weeks of the competition because of an outbreak.
If Moana Pasifika’s game against the Highlanders is postponed, that will leave the new team with a backlog of four games to play.
The Highlanders also confirmed yesterday second five-eighth Thomas Umaga-Jensen would be sidelined for a month with a groin strain, and outside back Liam Coombes-Fabling would be out for six weeks with a knee injury.
Coombes-Fabling’s injury will leave the Highlanders wondering where to go next with a back three which has not yet gelled.
It is likely the Highlanders will get an extra week to think about that, though.
