Fingers and toes are crossed on both sides of the Tasman that the bubble can reopen by Saturday to allow them to make the flight for their Sky Super Rugby Trans-Tasman game at the alpine resort.
Queenstown businesses will also be waiting anxiously as the game was a potential boost for the flagging tourism industry in the town.
The Rebels were to fly from Melbourne on Friday, but New Zealand's government announced a bubble pause for 72 hours from Tuesday at 6 pm.
They had understood the New Zealand deadline would be later and had started to make plans to relocate to Sydney before flying to Queenstown later in the week. But with the announcement of the bubble pause from Tuesday at 6 pm, they were unable to secure enough seats by that time.
There is an extra reason to hope the game can go ahead as the prime ministers of the two countries, Jacinda Ardern and Scott Morrison, were set to attend the game during their scheduled meeting over the weekend.
It is now planned for the team to fly out on Saturday.
If things worsen, they will seek a travel exemption to play the game.
Ironically, the Rebels returned home from Wellington, where they lost to the Hurricanes last weekend. That was to allow players time at home, as after the Highlanders game, they are staying on in New Zealand to play the Chiefs next week in Hamilton.