The All Blacks will be home for Christmas as the late change to the 2020 Rugby Championship schedule has been confirmed

The All Blacks will be home for Christmas after Sanzaar and Rugby Australia announced a revised draw for the 2020 Rugby Championship.

The 12-game tournament will now be played over seven weeks and Australia’s clash against New Zealand will move from Saturday, December 12 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.

Sanzaar CEO Andy Marinos said: “The opening of the Australia-New Zealand travel bubble from New Zealand and an agreement of 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.

“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 recognize the sacrifice of several of the players and the leadership of the team who will have been away from home for close. six months to when the Rugby Championship is over. “

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.

“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.

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 involvement has yet to be confirmed, as the decision hinges on several factors outside of Sanzaar’s control. However, it is a positive sign that the Super Rugby Unlocked tournament kicks off in South Africa on Friday 9th October.

Rugby Championship Schedule

First round – Saturday, October 31, 2020

ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Australia v New Zealand (9.45pm NZT)

Second round – Saturday, November 7

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Argentina v South Africa
Australia v New Zealand (9.45pm NZT)

Third round – Saturday, November 14

Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

New Zealand v Argentina (7:00 pm NZT)
South Africa v Australia

Fourth round – Saturday, November 21

ANZ Stadium, Sydney

New Zealand v South Africa (7:00 pm NZT)
Australia vs Argentina

Fifth Round – Saturday, November 28

McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Argentina vs Australia
South Africa v New Zealand (9.45pm NZT)

Fifth Round – Saturday, December 5

Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Argentina v New Zealand (7:00 pm NZT)
Australia v South Africa

Sixth round – Saturday, December 12

ANZ Stadium, Sydney

South Africa v Argentina