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Jacinda Ardern (Getty Images)
There is “a real possibility” that New Zealand will host rugby events before the end of the year, but arrangements have not been finalized, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.
New Zealand was poised to host the Rugby Championship and clashes against Australia between October and December before the government tightened rules on social events after a Covid-19 outbreak in Auckland.
It led to the strange situation on Sunday when the All Blacks named a 35-man test team with no confirmed matches or opponents to play.
Ardern said the government was working on the issue.
“There has been some discussion as to whether we would have the ability to host a tournament in New Zealand,” he told Newstalk ZB radio station.
“It is something that we have been exploring and seeing if we can facilitate that within the current arrangements; we have strict arrangements at our border that we must respect.”
When asked if the All Blacks were likely to play test rugby in New Zealand before the end of the year, Ardern replied: “I think we are doing enough to make it a real possibility.”
Under current arrangements, teams arriving from abroad would have to be quarantined for two weeks and matches would be played without crowds, as gatherings of more than 100 are prohibited.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster said Sunday that a testing schedule should be finalized in a week and New Zealand media reports that governing body Sanzaar will publish one on Friday.
New Zealand was originally scheduled to host the Rugby Championship, which includes the All Blacks, Australia, South Africa and Argentina, between November 7 and December 12.
That is now in doubt due to New Zealand’s stricter rules and the news that six Argentine players tested positive for Covid-19 at a training ground in the hard-hit South American nation.
There is also concern that world champions Springboks may be inadequately prepared after their players recently restarted contact training after a virus-forced break of more than four months.
A two-way series against the Wallabies in October-November seems more likely, but rugby chiefs may prefer to play it in Australia’s Queensland state, where health rules are less strict.
The Queensland government has proven to be flexible in attracting major sporting events and agreed to host the Australian Rules grand final in Brisbane on 24 October in front of 30,000 people.
Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium is already advertised on its website as the venue for the October 17th clash between the Wallabies and the All Blacks.
Ardern said New Zealand had “kept the door open” to host international rugby, but the final decision on where the Trials would be played was out of their hands.
“It is not just up to us … ultimately, we are not the only ones who make that decision,” he said.
Squad of all Blacks:
Forward: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Quinten Strange, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane (captain), Shannon Frizell, Cullen Grace, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu
Backs:
TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece
