Players fatigue

Super Rugby Aotearoa is taking a toll on the players

New Zealand Rugby set up the 10-week domestic competition after the broader Super Rugby season, which also featured sides from South Africa, Australia, Argentina and Japan, was suspended due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

With the country's five Super Rugby teams battling it out in a constant stream of high-quality derbies, players are experiencing almost test match conditions week in, week out.