ACT Brumbies left in the dark with nowhere to train for Super W finals

Rugby Australia decided to postpone the Super W finals series due to the threat of coronavirus, with all training to cease in line with the community rugby suspension as well.

The Brumbies were set to play against the Queensland Reds for the second week in a row in a knockout match at Ballymore on Saturday.

But when or if the match proceeds is uncertain due to the rapid spread of coronavirus in Australia, with over 500 cases confirmed at time of writing.

Rugby Australia has not yet told Super W clubs what the protocol would be if on their players test positive for coronavirus beforehand, leaving Brumbies coach Adam Butt uncertain whether the finals will go ahead as planned.

"To be honest we haven't had a lot of information on positive tests. We know what to do and who to see, so forth, but we haven't been told what Rugby Australia's stance would be if a player tests positive and if that would affect the competition," Butt said.

"I know they've had some of the rugby seven's players go through the quarantine, so I expect that would be the same for us.

"They're not training together, so it gives us an opportunity to still get the competition back underway. I don't think this virus is going anywhere quickly."

All Super W training has ceased until at least May 2, leaving players to maintain their fitness through individual conditioning training.

They've also been barred from using the facilities at Brumbies headquarters to reduce the risk of cross-infection with Super Rugby players.

Super W players are not paid and most either work, study or attend school between training.

Butt says Super W organisers need to consider training loads and lack of contact sessions before re-scheduling the finals fixtures to reduce the risk of injury.

"It's really significant not having the contact content in our training, and with individual training they're not going to be able to get that," Butt said.

"It's crucial, we play a combat sport.

"The nightmare around the bush ahead is it's going to be tough when they get back in. They lose that body-hardened and being combat ready - things hurt a lot more if you don't do it.

"I assume we'll get a little bit of time when everything starts to get back in terms of training because if we set our players with a game within a week, they're going to get injured. We don't want that."

The winner of the Brumbies and Queensland will meet two-time premiers NSW Waratahs in Sydney the following weekend.

Rugby Australia are considering hosting the matches at the end of May, lining up with the Wallaroos' international window.