Blues v Lions kick-off time moved

NEWS: The Super Rugby Round Seven clash between the Blues and Lions in Auckland has been moved to an earlier kick-off time.

SANZAAR confirmed the kick-off times for the two relocated Sunwolves Super Rugby matches for Round Six and Seven, as well as a change to an existing Blues home match in Round Seven to accommodate the change.

New kick-off time for the #BLUvLIO match next week in Auckland. https://t.co/7UhqyxSbQa

— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) March 3, 2020

The changes have effectively created ‘double-headers’ at Wollongong on March 6 and Brisbane on March 14.

The Round Six Sunwolves versus Brumbies match will be played on Friday, March 6 prior to the Waratahs versus Chiefs match at WIN Stadium in Wollongong

The Round Seven Sunwolves versus Crusaders match will now be played on Saturday 14 March prior to the Reds versus Bulls match at Suncorp Stadium

The Blues versus Lions match will now kick-off 16.45 local time (05.25 SA time) on March 14.

Super Rugby CEO, Andy Marinos stated: “The necessity to relocate the two Sunwolves matches in Rounds Six and Seven of Super Rugby has created an exciting opportunity for both teams and spectators in Wollongong [Sydney] and Brisbane. Rugby fans can now watch two Super Rugby matches at the respective venues in Rounds Six and Seven as we deliver our first-ever ‘double-header’ round in the competition’s history of regular season play.

“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the teams, management and CEO’s that have been impacted by this decision for their positive and cooperative manner in which they have addressed this change. In addition my thanks to Andrew Hore and the Blues organisation for their cooperation in changing the kick-off time at Eden Park on March 14 to allow a genuine double-header for fans at Suncorp Stadium. I believe we have made the most out of the decision to relocate the Sunwolves matches and created a tournament first in terms of establishing double-header matches.”