Australia To Host Rugby Championship As NZ Loses Out

New Zealand has missed out on hosting the Rugby Championship, with the tournament to be held in Australia.

RNZ understands the competition will be based in Sydney, New South Wales, and the All Blacks will spend up to 10 weeks across the tasman.

It’s believed Australia has been given the tournament due to their more flexible quarantine rules and ability to house teams in isolation facilities that also allow them to train together.

Governing body Sanzaar will make an announcement at three o’clock this afternoon.

The Rugby Championship will start on November the 7th.

RNZ understands there’s likely to be two Bledisloe Cup tests in New Zealand before that, probably on October the 17th and 24th.

The All Blacks will then head to Australia for potentially six to ten weeks, playing the return Bledisloe test first, then games against South Africa.

It’s understood that if the plan goes ahead, the All Blacks will likely be in quarantine in New Zealand on Christmas Day after returning from Australia.

More to come…

Source: rnz.co.nz Republished by arrangement.