NCD Rugby Union holds closed-door trial matches

THE National Capital Rugby Union (NCDRU) held closed-door trial matches for its men’s and reserve divisions at Bava Park in Port Moresby on Saturday.
The trial matches are the first for rugby union in the country with NCDRU receiving approval from the Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation.
Match officials confirmed that the trials were held only on Saturday with strict observance of NCDRU’s new Covid-19 guidelines, which include no spectators.
In a statement earlier last week, NCDRU reminded clubs of the new measures to maintain hygiene and player safety.
“All clubs please note these are the Covid-19 protocols are approved by the (national pandemic) controller and will be enforced,” the statement said.
“Temperature checks, and sanitising of hands and rugby balls after each match, no shared uniforms and no spectators for now since it is still under negotiation with the controller.
“Only four teams are allowed in the venue at a time, two on the pitch playing while the other two teams remain at a separate warm-up zone.
“Rotations will be facilitated once draws are finalised and all teams must enter the venue 30 minutes before their matches.”
NCDRU also advised all clubcoaches to undergo a World Rugby online Covid-19 certificate programme.