Hi everyone I trust everyone came out unscathed from the wind last night. Reports of uprooted trees, blown in windows and wayward trampolines in the mix. In regard to our prizegivings, the committee meet on 21st September and a final decision will be made. Fingers crossed that we aren't too far away from Level 1 for these to go ahead. Optimism!! Return to Training Aoraki Māori Colts will be training at Celtic this Sunday 12 September from 2.30pm. Celtic with the support of MCRU have developed a health and safety plan that fits the Covid-19 criteria from NZR to allow the team to train. NZR - Covid Update Domestic and community rugby to resume outside of Auckland New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has confirmed the Bunnings Warehouse NPC, Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) and Heartland Championship, outside of Auckland, will recommence from Friday 17 September. Confirmation of the re-start date for New Zealand’s three national domestic rugby competitions comes following the Government’s announcement on Monday that all of New Zealand apart from Auckland, will move down to COVID Alert Level 2 from tomorrow (Wednesday, 8 September). At Alert Level 2, teams at all levels of rugby can safely return to training from tomorrow, but NZR has stipulated that matches will not resume until Friday 17 September, to ensure players have sufficient time to safely prepare for a return to play. NZR is making plans for Auckland, North Harbour and Counties Manukau to play catch-up matches later in the season, subject to them moving to Alert Level 2. The Auckland region remains at COVID Alert Level 4 until at least 11.59 PM Tuesday 14 September. NZR will release a revised draw for the Bunnings Warehouse NPC, FPC and Heartland Championship in the coming days. NZR General Manager Community Rugby Steve Lancaster said it is great to be able to provide some certainty for players, fans and stakeholders. “It’s great to be in a position where our teams and fans can look forward to some rugby again. Although we’d love to get everyone back out there this weekend, player safety must be our number one priority, so we have built-in a week for our teams to prepare before they return to the field. And importantly, with play resuming next weekend we are planning to play the full schedule of matches in all three competitions, with later completion dates for each. “We know it’s a tough situation for everyone in Auckland, but we are taking a positive view that the Alert Levels will go down and we are making contingency plans for Auckland, North Harbour and Counties Manukau to re-join the competitions with minimal disruption when they are able. We thank all three of our Auckland-based unions for their understanding and support in resuming these competitions while they remain at Alert Level 4.” For further information: Follow New Zealand Rugby on Twitter @nzrugby for all media releases and other important information. Level 2 Quiz 1. Which family has represented Ashburton Celtic 4 times for the NZ Marist Colts? 2. Which 4 consecutive years did Ashburton Celtic win the Watters Cup? 3. What was the name of the Argentinian club that played Ashburton Celtic in 1987? Last week's answers What year did Ashburton Celtic attend the first South Island Marist Tournament? 1947 What year did Ashburton Celtic attend the first NZ Marist Tournament? 1991 What year was the first Ashburton Celtic player in NZ Marist Colts? 1974 All Blacks v Argentina Brodie Retallick will captain the All Blacks for the first time in the Fortinet Rugby Championship Test against Argentina on the Gold Coast on Sunday 12 September (Kick-off: 5.05PM AEST, 7.05PM NZT). The matchday 23 is (Test caps in brackets): 1. Karl Tu’inukuafe (20) 2. Asafo Aumua (2) 3. Nepo Laulala (34) 4. Brodie Retallick – captain (86) 5. Scott Barrett (44) 6. Akira Ioane (7) 7. Dalton Papalii (Eight) 8. Luke Jacobson (7) 9. TJ Perenara (71) 10. Beauden Barrett (94) 11. George Bridge (13) 12. David Havili (Eight) 13. Anton Lienert-Brown (52) 14. Sevu Reece (12) 15. Jordie Barrett (28) 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (4) 17. Joe Moody (50) 18. Tyrel Lomax (Eight) 19. Tupou Vaa’i (5) 20. Ethan Blackadder (3) 21. Brad Weber (11) 22. Damian McKenzie (33) 23. Rieko Ioane (40) 30-year-old lock Brodie Retallick will captain the team in Ardie Savea’s absence, becoming the 71st All Blacks Test captain. Retallick has started 71 of his 86 Tests to date and will be playing his 14th Test against Argentina. In the starting front row, hooker Asafo Aumua will be making his first Test start, alongside Karl Tu’inukuafe, who comes in for George Bower, and Nepo Laulala. Prop Joe Moody will make his eagerly-awaited return to the national side via the bench after undergoing foot surgery this year. Tyrel Lomax is the other reserve prop, coming into the 23 for his third Test of the year. Samisoni Taukei’aho is reserve hooker. In the second row, Scott Barrett will once again start alongside Retallick, with Tupou Vaa’i again the reserve lock. In the loose forwards, Luke Jacobson comes in at number eight for his third Test start of the year, alongside Akira Ioane at six and Dalton Papalii in the seven jersey. Ethan Blackadder will once again provide loose forward impact from the bench. Kick back and support the AB's. Have a great weekend.