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SANZAAR and the Rugby Australia tournament hosts have announced a revised draw for the 2020 Rugby Championship, with the Southern Hemisphere competition starting in late October.
The 12-match tournament will now be played over seven weeks with Australia’s clash against New Zealand moved from Saturday 12 December to Saturday 31 October at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
South Africa-Argentina change of venue
South Africa’s test against Argentina on Saturday 12 December has moved to the McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle to close the tournament.
The remainder 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.
It’s going to 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 matchday two. Saturday, November 7, will also mark the first time that Tier One nations will meet in a double title test match.
The revised tournament schedule will be welcomed by New Zealand Rugby, who disagreed with SANZAAR about the original Rugby Championship draw that took place last month.
Under the original draw and current New Zealand border regulations, players would have had to be quarantined for 14 days alone, and therefore would not be able to spend the Christmas festival with their families.
SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos 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 goals of business viability and player wellness.
🗣️ “Under current New Zealand border regulations, players would have to be quarantined for 14 days alone and therefore not be able to spend Christmas with their families.”
🇳🇿 New Zealand unhappy with #RugbyChampionship calendar. 👇https: //t.co/1M5P3hrqPA
– Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) September 24, 2020
“Rugby Australia and SANZAAR, with the support of the Governments of New South Wales, South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand, have been proactive in coming up with numerous viable 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 game scheduled for December 12 at the ANZ Stadium has been 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 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 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 match venues. .
Ready for kick-off
“The 12-match Rugby Championship is now ready to begin. The Pumas from Argentina have 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 ”.
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 party has had to sacrifice something and I think that is a true indication of the strength of the SANZAAR alliance “
Revised 2020 Rugby Championship schedule
Day one: Saturday, October 31
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Australia in New Zealand
Second day: Saturday, November 7
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Argentina v South Africa
Australia in New Zealand
Third day – Saturday, November 14
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
New Zealand v Argentina
South Africa v Australia
Fourth day: Saturday, November 21
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
New Zealand v South Africa
Australia vs Argentina
Fifth day: Saturday, November 28
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Argentina vs Australia
South Africa v New Zealand
Sixth day: Saturday, December 5
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
Argentina v New Zealand
Australia v South Africa
Matchday 7: Saturday, December 12
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
South Africa v Argentina
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