NZ Rugby's North v South match faces an uncertain future, after the NZ Government's announcement that current COVID-19 alert levels will remain for another four days.
Monday's decision was originally expected to impact where the game could be held - either the originally scheduled venue of Auckland's Eden Park or relocate to Wellington's Sky Stadium.
Last week, NZR was forced to reschedule the fixture from August 29 to September 5, after an exemption request for 14 Auckland-based players and five support staff to assemble in the capital was denied.
Wellington now shapes as the likely venue, although that would still be behind closed doors, meaning a major financial blow for the sport's governing body.
Either way, NZ Rugby must apply again for exemptions for the players to leave Auckland or keep the players in Auckland in the expectation that the alert level is reduced on Sunday, as planned.
That would allow the game to be played at an empty Eden Park on September 5.
NZR has also ruled out any further postponement to avoid impacting the start of the Mitre 10 Cup on September 10.
Fans who have bought tickets to the scheduled match at Eden Park are encouraged to hold onto their tickets until further notice.
NZR was expected to confirm its plans for the match after the Prime Minister's announcement, but has since been rescheduled for Tuesday.
