A change of date rather than a change of venue is now the more likely fate of the North versus South rugby match

The match - set down for next Saturday at Eden Park originally - is up in the air due to the change in alert levels across the country.

The New Zealand Herald reports that playing the game at Eden Park on September 5th is now preferred, should the Government keep Auckland at alert level 3 and prevent Blues players from travelling to Wellington on Monday.

Delaying the game by one week is seen as more practical and beneficial than trying to shift the venue from Eden Park to Sky Stadium as has been proposed.

If Auckland returns to level 2 next Thursday, that will be enough to allow both teams to assemble in the city on Monday, August 31 and prepare for the match on September 5.