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Sanzaar has made some changes to the Rugby Championship schedule.
Australia and New Zealand’s December 12 test in Sydney has been moved to an earlier date.
The Springboks and Argentina will now close the tournament in Newcastle on December 12.
The governing body of the southern hemisphere, Sanzaar, announced on Thursday a revised draw for the next Rugby championship to be played in Australia.
The 12-game tournament will now be played over seven weeks, with Australia’s clash against New Zealand moving from Saturday, December 12 to Saturday, October 31 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
South Africa’s test against Argentina on Saturday 12 December moved from the ANZ Stadium in Sydney to the McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle to close out the tournament.
If the Wallabies and All Blacks had also dueled on December 12, the Kiwi players would have spent Christmas in quarantine due to their country’s coronavirus restrictions.
The remainder of the draw remains unchanged with five consecutive double-day weeks starting at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday 7 November.
The start times have also been confirmed.
Sanzaar CEO Andy Marinos commented on the schedule changes through a press release: “Opening of the Australia-New Zealand travel bubble from New Zealand and an agreement by the parties on revised business results Has enabled the joint venture to consider alternative solutions to address our two key goals of business viability and player wellness.
“Rugby Australia and Sanzaar, supported by the Governments of New South Wales, South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand, have been proactive in coming up with numerous workable solutions that have now allowed us to adjust the picture.
“In the revised final draw, the Australia-New Zealand match originally scheduled for December 12 as a double match at ANZ Stadium was moved to October 31 at ANZ Stadium as a separate match.
“The South Africa-Argentina game scheduled for December 12 at the ANZ Stadium was moved to the McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.
“This year has been a year of continuous adjustment in which the Sanzaar partners have had to compromise on several levels.
“It is important to further acknowledge the sacrifice of several of the players and the leadership of the team who will have been away from home for close to six months when the Rugby Championship concludes.
“This is once again a testament to the strong values that embody our game. I would also like to thank our rights-holding broadcasters for adapting to this late change and for continuing to support us through these challenges, as well as the Government of New Wales. del Sur for their support and flexibility regarding the tournament and match venues. ”
“The 12-match Rugby Championship is ready to begin. The Pumas of Argentina have already arrived in Australia and we are all looking forward to an exciting and vibrant tournament that will undoubtedly showcase the best of rugby from the southern hemisphere,” concluded Marinos.
Rugby Australia Acting CEO Rob Clarke added: “I really have to thank the government of New South Wales, under the leadership of Gladys Berejiklian, as well as the Premier of Queensland, Annastacia Palaszczuk, and her government in Queensland for their flexibility and support to adapt to this late change.
“Both governments have been excellent partners in ensuring that this tournament continues and in helping to deliver world-class rugby for fans of New South Wales and Queensland, as well as the global television audience that will tune in to it.
“I am pleased that this tie is now resolved and that the Sanzaar joint venture has reached an appropriate compromise. Each side has had to sacrifice something and I believe this is a true indication of the strength of the Sanzaar alliance,” Clarke said.
Revised draw for the 2020 Rugby Championship:
Matchday one – Saturday, October 31
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
19:45 (10:45 SA) – Australia v New Zealand
Matchday two: Saturday, November 7, 2020
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
17:00 (08:00 SA time) – Argentina v South Africa
19:45 (10:45 SA) – Australia v New Zealand
Third match day: Saturday, November 14
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
17:00 (08:00 SA time) – New Zealand v Argentina
19:45 (10:45 SA) – South Africa v Australia
Fourth match day: Saturday, November 21
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
17:00 (08:00 SA) – New Zealand v South Africa
19:45 (10:45 hours SA) – Australia v Argentina
Fifth day – Saturday, November 28
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
17:00 (08:00 SA time) – Argentina v Australia
19:45 (10:45 SA) – South Africa v New Zealand
Sixth match day: Saturday, December 5
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
17:00 (08:00 SA time) – Argentina v New Zealand
19:45 (10:45 SA) – Australia v South Africa
Matchday 7 – Saturday, December 12
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
19:45 (10:45 hours SA) – South Africa v Argentina
– Compiled by Sport24 staff
