World Rugby has given the go-ahead for the Rugby Championship to go ahead from November 7 in New Zealand during an expanded international window between October 24 and December 12.
The COVID-19 pandemic has restricted airline travel and closed borders, causing the cancellation of the big southern hemisphere teams’ annual tours of Europe and put rugby on hold around the world.
Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, who were all set to play in Europe in October and November, will now play the delayed Rugby Championship in a five-week window from November 7.
But instead of the usual home-and-away matches, New Zealand has been asked by SANZAAR to host the competition.
New Zealand has been playing a Super Rugby spin-off tournament to packed stadiums since June.
The incomplete Six Nations can play four postponed men’s matches and six women’s matches on October 24 and 31.
The new window that obliges clubs to release players for their country is usually confined to November, but with no major rugby since March and national unions in deepening debt, the window has been enlarged from October 24 to the second weekend of December.
England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales have proposed a tournament with Japan and Fiji.
Whether spectators are allowed to attend depends on health protocols in each country.
“Special measures will need to be implemented to deal with any government-required isolation period prior to the start of the competition,” World Rugby said.
“Approval follows extensive and productive dialogue between the sport’s major stakeholders, balancing the interests of the international game, the professional club game and player welfare to determine a schedule that will optimise the immediate financial recovery and funding of the sport at all levels.”
World Rugby added it was also talking with tier two unions about helping them to put together fixtures where COVID-19 restrictions permit.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I’ll take the losses Corne.. Even don’t mind losing the nr 1 ranking if iteans getting quality game time in. Get the ball rolling in other words.. It’s a small price to pay..
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
NZ has the Mitre 10 which tends to run until early October
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
heartland competition has been cancelled for this season.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
whoops; forgive me, this comment should not have appeared here.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
According to the Daily Mail the French clubs are moaning and threatening legal action. Considering that they actually miss their Southern Hemisphere players less this year because we aren't heading north it's pathetic really. Good to see World Rugby stand up to them for a change.
Aphelele Fassi in for Gelant, he has been brilliant this season
Pundit
Roar Guru
Speaking of the 2021 Lions Series, the 2019 Champions sure have a good chance against the Lions. Here is my ideal Springboks team to face the Lions( assuming that the players are uninjured and released from their clubs to play Forwards 1. Steven Kitshoff 2. Malcom Marx ( i think he was a supersub in 2019 ) 3. Frans Malherbe 4, Eben Etzebeth 5, Lood De Jager 6. Siya Kolisi 7. Pieter-Steph Du Toit 8. Kwagga Smith ( Duane Vermuelen would prob not be playing fit for a start) 9. Faf De Klerk 10. Handre Pollard 11. Makazole Mapimpi 12. Damian De Allende 13. Lukhyanko Am 14. Cheslin Kolbe 15. Wille Le Roux( Hopefully) Subs( Not According to 6-2) 16. Mbongeni Mbonambi 17. Trevor Nyakane 18. Vincent Koch 19. RG Snyman 20. Franco Mostert 21. Herschel Janjities/ Cobus Reinach 22. Elton Janjities/ Curwin Bosch 23. Warrick Gelant
Boomeranga
Roar Rookie
I'll be surprised if it goes ahead, even between us and the kiwis. The bug is clearly very jumpy. I wish you guys over in SA every luck as it seems from the press we get it is taking a fair crack at you.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Jezza, I'm talking about a Wallabies tour. Nothing to do with SANZAAR and the Kiwis are realists. The know they need Aussies onboard. If Aussie rugby doesn't show signs of lifting its own game, they may feel obliged to help out. They've done it 3-4 times before.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
I'm liking the idea, especially Point 5 with the acknowledgement that it would only take ONE Aussie woman to take on however many NZ like to throw at her! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
CPM
Roar Rookie
Maybe not the coaches but the players and SARPA have a huge say. So if the union raises the flag about the health and safety of players and says no then that’s the end of it.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
South Africa will make every effort to play.. Of that I'm certain.. I'm also certain that as Nienaber said, if we not fit we won't go.. It's quite simple..it would be irresponsible sending players not ready for the rigors of full Test rugby and risk serious injury.. It's bad enough when fully fit.. All other logistics such as warm up games, Quarantining, testing, even transport can be worked out..may need a private charter.. But I see no reason why Bok management, players and coaching staff would not be very keen to get on the park..
Easy to say it isn’t an excuse from a Nz perspective, eh? Dice are loaded mate, home advantage, been playing rugby for a couple of months, etc. etc.
Highlander
Guest
Certainly did read it, also know coaches get zero say in what happens in events like this. Can SA afford not to attend if it’s on, don’t think so. Do you really think a new domestic comp in SA is going to make anywhere near the money an RC would with Intl broadcasters, NZ v SA is the event. It’s way way less than ideal, but this going ahead is the most likely outcome, we are not ready won’t be an excuse.
Emery Ambrose
Roar Rookie
SA and Argentina need to get over here by early September, quarantine, then play warm up games against heartland teams or NPC XVs in October.
CPM
Roar Rookie
Maybe you did not read the things that Nienaber said. If they are not match ready then the Boks will not play in the RC. It’s that simple and far as broadcasters go there is way more commercial value showing matches during prime time SA and Europe time, that means not NZ time. You guys will have to settle on playing wallabies if they meet the strict performance standards and financial guarantees that NZR is looking for.
Emery Ambrose
Roar Rookie
I’m pretty sure it’s a SANZAAR run tourney, NZR wouldn’t be able to dictate money allocation.
Highlander
Guest
This has nothing to do with any of that mate and we all know it. It’s about cash and TV content and the sport and each country union will do anything to make this happen, and right now the broadcasters are setting the agenda. Unless the virus raises its head again in NZ, it’s going to go ahead. At least your guys are all training either at home or Europe, not sure the Pumas are at home.
Definitely not highlander. It is a new era, things mightchange, why start unprepared, undercooked and away from home? If we were on level terms in regards to playing time and prep, by all means, I would suspect the Kiwi’s would prefer level playing field? Or not?
In the current climate I would think Gate. money should he split, why should NZ not only benefit in advantage of having the tournament played at home, but also financially? Without the other teams coming they get nothing.