Governing body Sanzaar says it favours staging the Rugby Championship entirely in New Zealand this year because of the country’s success in containing the COVID-19 virus.
Sanzaar chief executive Andy Marinos said in a statement on Thursday the four-nation tournament can only be staged in one central location because of international travel restrictions.
Discussions with NZ Rugby were “well advanced” but government approval is still needed before the tournament involving the Wallabies, All Blacks, Springboks and Pumas is given the green light.
“We have determined that New Zealand is currently the favoured option given the COVID stability within the region,” Marinos said.
“Critical to this, however, is alignment with the New Zealand government around its requirements for this to take place.”
Staging the entire tournament in New Zealand may mean all Bledisloe Cup Tests this year are played on Kiwi soil if a trans-Tasman travel bubble hasn’t opened.
Wellington has long been mooted as host for the first Bledisloe Cup Test, understood to be pencilled in for October 10.
Previous media reports suggested Australia was being considered as a lone Rugby Championship host but a surge in coronavirus cases this month may have counted against the country.
New Zealand is presently dealing with 22 active cases – all involving overseas returnees who are in managed isolation.
Full crowds have been allowed to watch Super Rugby Aotearoa matches. The Kiwi-only competition has run for a month without a hitch.
A New Zealand-staged Rugby Championship is likely to be run from late October to early December.
While the Springboks and Pumas squads will need to undergo two weeks of quarantine on arrival, the Australians may have arrived well in advance for one or two Bledisloe Cup encounters.
Sanzaar’s announcement comes amid the backdrop of trans-Tasman debate over the future makeup of Super Rugby, with NZ Rugby said to favour a structure that features a reduced number of Australian teams.
In his statement, Marinos said commentary questioning the viability of Sanzaar had been misplaced.
The joint venture that has governed southern hemisphere rugby competitions for 25 years would continue, he said, before conceding future competitions are likely to be revamped because of the pandemic.
“The restructuring of Super Rugby through reformatted competitions does not mean the dismantling of SANZAAR.
“There is a clear understanding that the value of the SANZAAR alliance and the pathway of Super Rugby to international rugby remains critical to the long-term success, development and competitiveness of the respective national teams.”
Marinos confirmed the lockdown in Argentina meant players in that country won’t play any domestic rugby this year and discussions are under way to unearth meaningful match preparation for their Test players.
He said South Africa Rugby will plan a return-to-play strategy “in the weeks ahead.”
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Ahh nepotism the Tasmanian (and Australian) way, I think this pretty much sums up Oz Rugby's woes. I went to watch the Emus from time to time and they had one or two half decent players and a lot just making up numbers. One bloke, a flanker, was very impressive though, always a standout. Quite a few Kiwi farmers around the NW I believe, but if you don't go looking you won't find..
Adam
Roar Guru
Too true. I'm still only 30 and could definitely be playing here in Hobart. I was lucky to play during probably the peak of rugby here in Hobart (got to play against and with Adam Coleman my entire junior years and there were other guys as good if not better than he was). Unfortunately, nepotism is at play down here. There's a reason there is only one strong club down south...
Micko
Roar Rookie
Um, we're talking about Twickenham Jacko. What does Wembley have to do with rugby union Jacko? The Bledisloe Cup pre-covid this year was going to have one game be held at Docklands in Melbourne: owned by the AFL. Why don't NZRU purchase Eden Park, or build their own stadium somewhere instead of whinging and moaning about everyone else?!
Jacko
Guest
So Micko you believe NZ should get all profits from the RC tournament to be held in NZ? Its their stadiums after all. Id rather see a share policy sorry...Oh by the way the RFU didnt build Wembly stadium it is owned by a subsidery of the Football association
Jacko
Guest
It looks like having player control thru contracts is going to be a big thing. Its crazy what is going to be expected from the UK based, club controlled players. Looks like the selection policies of NZ and Aus is not such a bad thing afterall...
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Too true, years ago I tried to get involved with the Burnie Emus, at the time they and the comp were extremely badly run and nothing seems to have improved since. But I was looked at as if I'd crawled out from under a rock and no one in the organisation was interested in talking to me. Ditto with the comp organisation, so I gave it away. Curiously there are lots of Rugby followers around here, expats etc and I'm sure some of them could be tempted to be involved. Unfortunately RA doesn't seem to offer a great deal either.
Micko
Roar Rookie
They have a point. The RFU built and owns Twickenham. Why should they care that arrogant and entitled kiwis are putting out their hand demanding cash off them?! Why doesn't the NZRU build/buy a stadium?
Adam
Roar Guru
They were at Don cricket ground when I was playing. The comp seems to have gone backwards a long way since 2010 unfortunately from what I've seen
Malotru
Roar Rookie
To be honest I don't know Adam. Didn't the Bulls play down near the Bluff? They now play at Don and it wouldn't surprise if there's a downhill aspect there. I have tried to get to matches but it is difficult to find accurate fixtures for the comp.
Jacko
Guest
far more sheep in Aus
Jacko
Guest
Make them pay for it Ferret...
Adam
Roar Guru
Does it still have the slope? Running down was always better!
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Done deal then Adam, the Devonport ground is just the place to hold it.
nroko
Roar Rookie
Super Rugby NZ only added 2 new rules, golden point and Red card replacement after 20mins. NZ has followed World Rugby advice only to enforce laws better rather than change the laws. I believe the law enforcement will stay. Super Rugby Au has definitely changed rules which impacts how the teams play - I highly doubt these will stay on RC.
Adam
Roar Guru
Plenty of sheep though
Adam
Roar Guru
Why not! Devonport has a really strong union club. Would push us up to 40 or more! Include the guys from the Emus and we're cooking with gas
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Only without the Rugby!!
Malotru
Roar Rookie
What you saying Adam? You haven't included me, that makes seven by my reckoning, better still I know a few Rugby nuts in this neck of the woods, so may be we could do better. Do you reckon we could push for a game in Ulverstone?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Another thing I haven’t seen brought up... What rules are we gonna get? The ones Aus has spent all season getting use to, the ones NZ has spent all season getting use to? Or the old ones that no one has been under? Bugger being a ref for this.
nroko
Roar Rookie
The non-NZ games should get played outside of Auckland, possibly also outside of the main super rugby host cities. Its an opportunity to do something different, take the games to the regions, these places don't get International rugby teams visiting so they will definitely embrace it it - good experience for all.