New Zealand PM hits back at Rennie's relocation comment
REACTION: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has shut down talks of relinquishing the Bledisloe Cup hosting rights to Australia.
According to New Zealand media reports, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Rugby Australia (RA) are yet to finalise details of the Bledisloe Cup matches, though October 17 and 24 have been pencilled in as potential dates.
However, Stuff reported, NZR have been pushing for the first test to be held in Wellington on October 10, a situation Dave Rennie finds ‘unacceptable’ given NZ’s quarantine protocols.
The proposed date by New Zealand will mean the Wallabies to have just a single week to prepare for what would arguably be the biggest game of their season and this after two weeks in quarantine on arrival in New Zealand.
With the Rugby Championship already moved to Australia, Rennie has suggested that it would be a lot fairer to play these Tests in Australia.
However, the comment has ruffled some feathers in New Zealand.
When asked about the Bledisloe Cup being shifted to Australia, New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern quickly shut down all talk and confirmed the government was still working through still some logistics but was adamant the hosting rights would not go to Australia.
“I don’t think that’s going to be necessary, I do think we’ll find a solution that works for both sides,” Ardern told Stuff.
Bringing Australia into the country was less of an issue than that of South Africa and Argentina, she said.
“Keeping in mind that for games between New Zealand and Australia that is a different risk profile for teams from Australia than for instance the likes of South Africa and Argentina where for instance, we already had team members who had tested positive for Covid,” Ardern said on Monday.
“So I do believe that we’ll be able to find a workable solution to make the Bledisloe Cup happen.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s general election is scheduled for October 17 and Ardern said she felt confident the country could vote and also watch a rugby game on the same day.
“I will be trying to do the same,” she said.
“I think the most important thing is that New Zealanders get the chance to see that match.”
Source: Stuff.co.nz & Rugbypass
