New Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos is urging powerbrokers to “get on the front foot” as he pushes to host the entire Rugby Championship later this year.
Australia hosted what became the Tri Nations last year after South Africa’s late withdrawal and Marinos expects this year’s tournament won’t be able to avoid another COVID-19 bubble scenario.
Speaking at the launch of this weekend’s Aon Uni 7s, where some of Australia’s female stars will get much-needed game time ahead of their Olympic title defence in Tokyo, Marinos said he’s put the ball in governing body Sanzaar’s court.
“I think we’ve all resigned ourselves to the fact that we’re probably going to be in a bubble in some way, shape or form,” Marinos, a former Sanzaar CEO, said.
“We successfully hosted the Tri Nations last year on a very short turnaround; our request to SANZAAR is let’s get ahead of the game a lot earlier and be able to build a proper model.
“I think there’s a fair appetite (to) host it here in Australia again and it’s something that we’ll put a lot of effort into.”
It comes after what Marinos described as a “surprise” announcement that the British and Irish Lions would continue with plans to tour South Africa despite the likelihood of no crowds and Australia offering to host the spectacle instead.
Marinos also said France’s visit to Australia could be pushed back to mid-July, with the in-form French potentially arriving in two waves to accommodate the players involved in the Top 14 final on June 26.
Domestically he said it remained “all systems go” for May’s five-week trans-Tasman Super Rugby tournament, providing New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirms the travel bubble between the countries on April 6.
Marinos said a hub to accommodate the five-week tournament in one location was still an option if the bubble was not in place.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s sevens outfits could play much-needed games in Australia in June before flying directly to Tokyo for the Games.
Like Australia and Fiji, the world champions have been unable to participate on the world tour because of tight travel restrictions and a two-week hotel quarantine on arrival.
Australian coach John Manenti is also monitoring the fitness of star trio Ellia Green (knee), Emma Tonegato (shoulder) and Chloe Dalton (back) as they do their best to prepare a gold medal defence.
National players will be shared between teams for the domestic sevens competition, while they will also train in the Northern Territory to acclimatise to the expected Tokyo heat.
“I would love to be going to Dubai this week to play, Madrid Sevens was a few weeks ago, would have loved to be there as well,” Manenti said.
“But two weeks in a hotel room would be detrimental to our preparation.
“There’s going to be a bit of hope in what we’re doing is the right thing but they’re very strange times and New Zealand and Fiji, both very strong teams, are in same situation.”
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
To answer: 1. Looks like no firm date has been set but likely to be late in the year again; 2. In Australia, I expect Stan to cover the RC (and all games); 3. Because Australia is getting greedy. Hamish McLennan was openly lobbying for Australia to host the RC again, Aust to host the RSA-Lions series, Aust to host a mini-World Cup involving the NH teams touring in these parts (Italy from NZ, Ireland from the Pacific and France to Australia), Aust to host the Super round of the TT competition and, if necessary, Aust to host the entire TT competition. 4. Given what happened with the cricket, I'd say Australia will not; 5. I for one would probably say not given Italy's tour of NZ is still proceeding. If Italy was to pull out, however ... 6. What lesson is that? The only one who hasn't learnt his lesson here is Marinos who is still behaving in the same manner that pissed off the Kiwis last year, aided by McLennan. Round two of the TT rift coming up!!
Wayne
Roar Rookie
Marinos is like a glass house, completely see-through. I would love to know the following: 1) When is this so called 2021 Rugby Championship going to take place? 2) Is there a broadcast deal in place or just viewership deals? 3) Why is Marinos talking about hosting in Aus when it was discussed that going forward there would be two match mini tours? 4) Are Aus planning on not traveling to SA? 5) Is SA going to travel to NZ if Aus don't come to SA? 6) Has NZ Rugby learned it's lesson yet?
AndyS
Guest
Where there is a travel bubble it shouldn't make much difference. But if not and it is a hub, it will be wherever has the most relaxed quarantine and lockdown as quarantining between matches isn't logistically viable. The better questions may be whether Argentina is up for it again, and SA turn out this time.
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
I would've thought that a similar situation from last year would occur except reversed. 2 Bledlisloes in Australia and then 2 in NZ with the RC being in NZ.
Hopefully everyone hosts their own matches but if its a hub its NZs turn i would imagine….Aus had it last year
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
I expect pushback from the NZRU on this -- and rightly so!
CPM
Roar Rookie
He is surprised because he was going all out making his plans thinking that others are not making plans of their own. What will he do if say all participating nations insist on hosting their own home matches? They will simply say get a jab, get on a plane and who could could argue with that. This could get interesting with teams required to travel, lock themselves up in a hotel and then get to the stadium to fulfil their obligations