The administrators of Super Rugby Pacific have confirmed that due to several Moana Pasifika players testing positive for a coronavirus, their inaugural match against the Blues has been postponed.

The fixture between the Blues and Moana Pasifika was scheduled to kick off the new Super Rugby competition on 18 Feb, but the match has now been pushed back after a number of positive test results in the Moana squad.

The Moana Pasifika team is isolating at its Queenstown hotel.

All members of the five New Zealand-based Super Rugby Pacific squads have tested negative for coronavirus and will continue preparations for the start of the season, including preseason fixtures in Queenstown this weekend.

Moana Pasifika’s situation means the preseason schedule in New Zealand has also been changed. The Highlanders, who were scheduled to play Moana Pasifika this weekend, will now join the Blues and Chiefs in a game of three halves, while the Hurricanes will play the Crusaders.