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SANZAAR and the tournament’s hosts, Rugby Australia, today announced a revised draw for the 2020 Rugby Championship. The 12-match tournament will now be played over seven weeks and Australia’s clash against New Zealand will move from Saturday 12 December to Saturday October 31 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
South Africa’s test against Argentina on Saturday 12 December has moved to the McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle to close the tournament.
For the rest, the rest of the draw is unchanged with five consecutive weeks of doubles matches starting at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday 7 November. The start times have also been confirmed.
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It will be a memorable tournament with the Springboks set to play for the first time since they became World Champions at the Rugby World Cup in Japan last year when they face Argentina on the second day of the match. Saturday November 7 will also mark the first time that the top tier nations will meet in a double test match.
Andy Marinos, SANZAAR CEO, said: “The 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 objectives of commercial viability and player welfare “
“Rugby Australia and SANZAR, with the support of 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. The revised final draw will see the Australia v New Zealand game originally scheduled for December 12 as a double game at ANZ Stadium that was moved to October 31 at ANZ Stadium as a standalone game. The South Africa-Argentina match as 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 SANZAAR members have had to commit themselves 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 encompass our game. “
“I would also like to thank our broadcasters rights holders for adjusting to this late change and for continuing to support us through these challenges, as well as the government of New South Wales for their support and flexibility regarding the tournament and venues. matches”.
“The 12-match Rugby Championship is now ready to begin. The Pumas from 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, ”added Marinos.
Rugby Australia Acting Executive Director Rob Clarke said: “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 your 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 draw has been resolved and that the SANZAAR joint venture has reached a suitable compromise. Each side has had to sacrifice something, and I think that is a true indication of the strength of the SANZAAR alliance, ”said Clarke.
The Argentina team has already arrived in Australia and is completing its training under strict health regulations, governed by NSW Health and the NSW Police. South Africa’s participation has yet to be confirmed, as the decision depends on several factors beyond SANZAAR’s control. However, it is a positive sign that the Super Rugby Unlocked tournament kicks off in South Africa on Friday 9th October.
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