The postponed All Blacks-Wallabies Bledisloe Cup Test is expected to be played on September 3 or 4 in Perth with the rest of The Rugby Championship to be completed across a glorious month of double headers in Queensland.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has confirmed games will be played in Brisbane, Townsville and the Gold Coast, ending speculation that games might be moved to Europe or South Africa.
She said the tournament will feature four double-headers running from September 12 to October 2.
Organising body SANZAAR released the game dates in a statement.
“SANZAAR today confirmed major changes to The Rugby Championship (TRC) match schedule. This is in response to the ongoing impact of the pandemic and the subsequent tightening of regulations placed on travel and quarantine by various state and national governments due to the latest outbreaks of COVID-19 in Australia and New Zealand.
“Despite these challenges, SANZAAR can today confirm that eight matches of the tournament will now be staged in Queensland after SANZAAR and the national unions were able to agree to suitable travel, accommodation and quarantine arrangements as regulated by the Queensland state government.
“The outstanding second-round match, Australia versus New Zealand, that was due to be played in Perth on Saturday 28 August will be played in the city at Optus Stadium with confirmation of the match date to be announced in the next few days.
“Unfortunately, this means there will be no matches played in New South Wales (Sydney and Newcastle), Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) or New Zealand (Auckland and Dunedin) as previously scheduled.
“SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris stated, “We thought last year was tough when we had to implement a Tri-nations tournament in Australia with South Africa absent due to the pandemic, but the current disruption caused by the ‘delta variant’ of COVID-19 has seen government authorities tighten up border bio-security measures substantially.
“This is totally understandable but after exploring several options, including moving the tournament to South Africa and even Europe, we now look forward with excitement to the remainder of The Rugby Championship in Queensland. Indeed, I am delighted on behalf of the SANZAAR stakeholders that we can now complete this world-class rugby tournament.”
“We are very excited about this unique format and rugby experience as we look to deliver a month of “Double Headers” with the world’s best players in Queensland, something never done in international rugby before.”
“On behalf of SANZAAR and the national unions, I would like to sincerely thank the Queensland Government for working with us and providing a travel, accommodation, training and playing environment that will allow us to safely complete the tournament. SANZAAR and the National Unions will now work closely with the states’ health authorities to ensure all bio-security measures are adhered to.”
“I personally want to thank Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young, as well as John Lee of the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport, and their respective departments for their tireless efforts in supporting this tournament.”
Rugby Australia said fans holding tickets for games that have been moved will be refunded.
Ticketholders for the previously scheduled matches in Sydney, Newcastle and Canberra will be refunded.
Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos added: “This is a world Rugby first and a truly special celebration of the game, in what I see as a once-in-a-lifetime event.
“We can’t thank Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk enough, as well as Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young and John Lee of the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport and their respective departments for their support in making this tournament possible.
“What a fantastic tournament ahead for fans in Queensland. Four unmissable back-to-back double-headers featuring four of the very best Test nations in World Rugby – all in Queensland’s backyard.”
Bledisloe 3/Rugby Championship fixtures
| Fixture | Venue | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia vs New Zealand | Optus Stadium | Sun September 5 | 4pm (AEST) |
| New Zealand vs Argentina | Cbus Super Stadium | Sun Sep 12 | TBC |
| South Africa vs Australia | TBC | ||
| Argentina vs New Zealand | Suncorp Stadium | Sat Sep 18 | TBC |
| Australia vs South Africa | TBC | ||
| Australia vs Argentina | QCB Stadium | Sat Sep 25 | TBC |
| New Zealand vs South Africa | TBC | ||
| Argentina vs Australia | Cbus Super Stadium | Sat Oct 2 | TBC |
| South Africa vs New Zealand | TBC |
Armtwister
Roar Rookie
Sorry Nm that was a word spell missstep.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Has heard anyone heard about what's happening with the women's series? The Black Ferns are also on their way to the North for several tests and talks are under way between RA and NZ to hold a game or two before they head north.
Micko
Roar Rookie
When they get their sh it together.
KFar
Guest
Obviously the Bledisloe game is still on in Perth, judging by this article and the one I've just seen on Stuff.co.nz... https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/300392155/no-sam-whitelock-aaron-smith-and-richie-mounga-as-all-blacks-head-to-perth Had anyone had any correspondence from their ticket vendors as to the changes?? We had tickets for the postponed game, have no info on any recent changes, and now the game is supposedly on Sunday 5th?
JC Rugby
Roar Rookie
Grew up near Julia Creek . When a football field was needed just graded a patch on the downs, which was OK on the black soil except cracks opened and lost a few kids.
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
Mate I'm pleased you think you guys have and are doing a great job. And yes, New Zealand could have done the same. But the rest of the world (even Queensland to a degree) are trying to get back to some sort of normality. Cannot stay isolated in a box forever. It would seem your borders will not open as long as NSW is having un linked numbers. Maybe I have missed McGowan's plan to open up to the world and at what point.
Micko
Roar Rookie
That's the point: use your isolation to your advantage. NZ is essentially two islands in the middle of nowhere, so don't really have an excuse.
J Jones
Roar Rookie
As I thought, no evidence. What kind of desperate, weak…. makes up such lies. Shame
Ash
Roar Rookie
Jokerman, so when NZ has COVID there are different rules to when Aus have COVID? We sucked it up and came to your country and played 2 tests when having COVID issues in Aus. We’ve had 30 years of you deriding us over sorting incedents while blindly ignoring your own hypocrisy.
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
They could all go to the AFL together?.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Love to see it but let's wait and see.
Ross
Roar Rookie
Its the newest stadium in Australia, the track will be dry and the beer will be cold. Look for the positives!
Ross
Roar Rookie
It will be the answer to a trivia question one day. And if you are able to get here, book some accommodation on Magnetic Island and then catch the ferry to the match. It will be a great day.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
FYI: QCB Stadium is Townsville's new stadium, in the heart of the city. Can easily walk to Flinders Street from there.
AndyS
Guest
I wouldn't imagine so for the Perth Test, but with the rest being double headers I can't really see much alternative. Doubt the Q'ld government paid anything either; they were hardly in a competitive situation, and there wouldn't be any meaningful tourism benefit. But that is all simply opinion, not informed.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
defiantly or definitely?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
More so, TJ, club competition, over any, international competition, that you could ' learn' , so much more from!!
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
It would be ever so helpful to know where these matches will be played. I appreciate that sports sponsors are like kings and all, shoveling largesse at the game and receiving largesse from the games' CEOs in return, scrutinising the NRL/ARU/ACB/AFL for non compliance with the corporate chief's personal version of social licence and so on. Not being an avid "stadium name spotter" puts me at a disadvantage. "Optus Stadium" where? I had to look it up to find that it had two names before it even opened. "QCB Stadium" - where' that? Is it in Julia Creek? Injune or the Outer Barcoo? "Cbus Super Stadium" has had several names in thirteen years - I think even OneTel (in liquidation) got a run. I sort of know where that is because the blokes at the pub discussing local matches routinely refer reverently to "CBus Superannuation Fund Incorporated let-us-manage-you-money-fo-you Stadium". Blaaahhh!
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
" WA is far safer from what happens in the eastern states" Yes mate no question there. Party due to McGowan but also due to the fact that you have a very small population and a billion miles from anywhere. The question you should be asking is what is your or McGowan's endgame. How long do you stay isolated in a box. Covis (as my 90 year old neighbor calls it) is here for a very long time to come. A child can spit it and lock a border, a leader will reestablish commerce ASAP. Vaccine is only part of the solution.
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
That would be Chairman McGowan Ken.