New Zealand appears to be the country most likely to host this year’s Rugby Championship, according to SANZAAR, as other participants continue battling with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last month, New Zealand lifted all COVID-19-related restrictions on public gatherings, including sports and weddings. Life is back to normal in a country which has gone more than 70 days since it last recorded a COVID-19 infection case from an unknown source.
In the same month, New Zealand kicked off Super Rugby Aotearoa, a domestic round-robin tournament featuring only its five Super Rugby teams, with no restrictions on fans attending matches.
“We have determined that New Zealand is currently the favoured option given the COVID stability within the region. Critical to this, however, is alignment with the New Zealand Government around its requirements for this to take place,” SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos said.
Marinos had previously said that there was hope the Rugby Championship will be played in the final quarter of the year. He added that negotiations to have the tournament in New Zealand were at an advanced stage.
“SANZAAR is well advanced in option planning with New Zealand Rugby, which in turn, is now seeking New Zealand Government approval. It is hoped that details on the TRC will be announced in the near future.”
New Zealand’s borders remain closed to international travel but only New Zealanders, their families and specific essential workers are allowed entry into the country.
Rugby Australia (RA) had also announced its intention of hosting a condensed Rugby Championship. However, with the re-emergence of the virus in the states of Victoria and New South Wales, it appears unlikely that it will get the nod to host the tournament. Meanwhile, South Africa and Argentina are currently witnessing significant increases of the virus so far registering more than 300,000 and 100,000 cases respectively.
According to Marinos a “bubble” arrangement, where the teams would be based in one country after they met quarantine requirements, was a possibility. New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson said that SANZAAR would foot the bill for quarantine of the Australian, South African and Argentinian teams.
New Zealand sports publication, Stuff, quoted Robinson saying that the tournament would probably take place across six weeks but the actual format and draws and kickoff times were yet to be determined.
Marinos added SANZAAR was also in discussions with the Argentina Rugby Union (UAR) on how to keep their players match-fit for the potential tournament as the South American country remained under strict lockdown conditions.
Marinos said that it was important as it appeared that the Jaguares, Argentina’s Super Rugby team, which also features much of the national squad, will not be able to participate in any further revised Vodacom Super Rugby domestic competition this year.
“That said, SANZAAR is continuing to work with the Argentina Rugby Union (UAR) in looking for solutions to give their players some meaningful match preparation as we look ahead to the rest of 2020 with the Rugby Championship. SANZAAR is also assisting SA Rugby as it plans a return to play strategy in the weeks ahead.”
