THE ACT Brumbies and Japan Sunwolves could be forced to play at an empty stadium next week as coronavirus fears threaten to affect the Super Rugby schedule.
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Super Rugby officials are discussing several options for games to be played in Japan, with the Brumbies, featuring Berry's Will Miller, and Sunwolves set to clash in Osaka on March 8.
A decision about whether the game will go ahead, be postponed or moved to another venue is expected to be made by the end of the week.
It is understood one option being considered is playing the game in Osaka, but denying entry to fans to reduce concerns.
Another option would be swapping home game schedules with the Sunwolves, which would mean playing in Canberra next week and moving the last-round clash between the teams to Osaka.
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The most likely outcomes appear to be playing at a neutral venue or denying fans entry to the match.
Super Rugby bosses also have to consider how games for the rest of the season will be impacted given there is so much uncertainty surrounding the spread of coronavirus.
The Sunwolves will play against the Hurricanes in Napier this weekend and SANZAAR officials want to have a plan finalised before they fly back to Tokyo.
Any games cancelled will result in the teams sharing the ladder points, which would have a massive impact on the ladder.
The Sunwolves conceded 10 tries in a capitulation against the Queensland Reds last week, but they did beat the Melbourne Rebels in round one.
The Brumbies have won three of their four games this year and have a bye this weekend before their Sunwolves challenge.
Coronavirus is the latest in a string of off-field drama for the Brumbies this year.
Their first match was overshadowed by a state of emergency in the ACT, then there was hail, thunderstorms and an outbreak of mumps.
AIS chief medical officer David Hughes said the next two weeks would be the "real test" to see whether coronavirus could be brought under control.
The International Olympic Committee is nervously watching developments ahead of the Tokyo Games, while the Japan soccer competition has postponed games until at least March 15.
The No. 1 priority is the health and safety of players and making sure we don't take any risks of going into infected areas. We will take precautions as advised.
- Brumbies CEO Phil Thomson
Japanese rugby officials will meet in the coming days to discuss the Top League competition and whether they will need to cancel matches.
Coronavirus has now killed 2469 people and infected 78,985. Mainland China accounts for more than 76,000 of all cases.
Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson said: "The situation is being monitored very closely by SANZAAR, Rugby Australia and all parties.
"We're going on the travel advice of both governments in Australia and Japan.
"The No. 1 priority is the health and safety of players and making sure we don't take any risks of going into infected areas. We will take precautions as advised."
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The Brumbies announced themselves as finals contenders when they ended a five-year losing streak in New Zealand last weekend, but the players are adamant they won't get caught in the hype.
The Sunwolves present an unpredictable challenge for their next game and the Japanese side, which is in its final year, boasts former Brumbies James Dargaville, Jordan Jackson-Hope and Ben Hyne.
"Coming off a good weekend last week it's good we've got a bye, we can reset and then really rip into these next block of games,"
"The key for us is to keep getting better.
"To do that it's testing ourselves at training and knowing we're going to come up against teams that are stronger and will test us.
"Look back to round one with the Sunwolves, they did a number on the Rebels.
"They're a tough team, we have to take it to them over there."
