COVID strikes again Down Under

NEWS: Australia’s series-opening Test against France will be shifted out of Sydney due to a COVID-19 lockdown of the nation’s biggest city, Rugby Australia said on Saturday.

Authorities in New South Wales state, of which Sydney is the capital, announced a two-week hard lockdown in and around the city to control a fast-spreading outbreak.

Australia were to play the French on July 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground but are now looking at other options, an RA spokesman said.

These include Newcastle and Brisbane, which hosts the third and final Test on July 17, Australian media reported.

The second Test is in Melbourne on July 13.