Wales’ summer tour is called off, but talks on Tests to continue
WALES’ three-Test tour of Japan and New Zealand has been officially postponed.
Wayne Pivac’s men were due to play three matches – one against Japan and two against the All Blacks – in June and July.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has put paid to sport events across the globe and now World Rugby have confirmed ongoing government directives will prevent all summer rugby internationals from going ahead.
A statement prepared by World Rugby on behalf of all rugby’s major stakeholders reads: “Extended travel and quarantine restrictions that apply to numerous countries and concerns over adequate player preparation time, mean that any sort of cross-border international rugby competition cannot be hosted in July.
“Monitoring of the potential impact on the remaining 2020 international windows continues in collaboration with rugby stakeholders and the respective authorities.
“All decision-making will be entirely contingent on national government travel, quarantine and health advice and important player welfare and hosting considerations in line with return-to-rugby guidance recently published by World Rugby.”
Pivac, who got off to an indifferent start as national team coach in his maiden Six Nations campaign, expressed his frustrations over the postponement but added the decision was “completely understandable”.
“We were very much looking forward to playing both in Japan and New Zealand in the summer so this postponement is disappointing, but completely understandable in the circumstances,” said Pivac.
“Having seen first-hand the welcome the team received at the World
Cup in Japan, and the extraordinary scenes at the open training session, I am sure our fantastic relationship with Japanese rugby will go from strength to strength in the future.
“On a personal note I was really looking forward to returning to New Zealand with Wales. It’s unfortunate that we will now have to wait a little longer for that privilege, but the occasion will be no less relished when it arrives.”
The WRU confirmed that ongoing talks include discussions over Tests going ahead at a later date, dependant on health and governmental advice in line with guidance from World Rugby.
England’s tour to Japan, Scotland’s trip to South Africa and New Zealand, and Ireland’s to Australia were also removed from the World Rugby schedule.
Red Rose head coach Eddie Jones said that while the squad were “disappointed” it is “the correct decision under the current circumstances”.
“I hope all Japanese and English rugby fans are keeping safe and well and we look forward to being back on a rugby pitch and back in Japan in the future,” he added.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said playing New Zealand on their home soil would have been
“an excellent learning experience, but we fully understand the reasons why it can’t go ahead”.
Ireland performance director David Nucifora said: “While it is disappointing that the summer tour to Australia will not go ahead as scheduled, it will not be a surprise to many as it is clear that Covid-19 will have implications for our game for some time to come.
“We continue to work with World Rugby, our fellow unions and our players and their representative body, Rugby Players Ireland, to develop a roadmap for the return of our game.”