Rugby Championship to be hosted in Australia?
NEWS: This year’s Rugby Championship could be hosted in one country.
According to reports coming out of Australia, SANZAAR nations – New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina- are in discussions on a range of options to ensure some international rugby is played this year.
With any kind of Super Rugby unlikely to happen, the Rugby Championship has become a high priority.
“There is definitely a collective commitment to prioritising Test match footy,” said Rugby Australia’s general manager of professional services Ben Whitaker.
He added: “But we are also committed to community safety, first and foremost. We roll off the back of that. But we are ready with different formats. Hopefully, that’s sooner rather than later.”
Story continues below…
While SANZAAR is hopeful that a Rugby Championship tournament can go ahead, there have also been discussions over a “quickfire” tournament over six weeks in one country.
“As soon as we get the okay from a community perspective to go, we will go,” said Whitaker. “If that means going into November or December depending on where we get to with July Tests, we will consider that as well. Everyone is ready.”
According to the Age, Australia is the strongest candidate to host the tournament due to the stringency of COVID-19 pandemic measures in the other countries.
It is also believed Australia is geographically best suited to host the tournament with Perth being and ideal location with its low rate of coronavirus cases compared to other cities in the country.
Perth’s time zone will also suit South Africa better than Australia’s eastern seaboard.
Source: The Age
In other news:
