NZ border closure puts Rugby C’ship in doubt

WELLINGTON: The Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship schedules are in doubt ater the New Zealand government on Friday stopped quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Australia for two months.

New Zealand is due to host Australia in two Bledisloe Cup tests in August and to meet Argentina and South Africa in Rugby Championship tests at home in September. Friday’s government announcement has complicated those plans because of the renewed need for teams to quarantine on their arrival in New Zealand.

The first Bledisloe Cup test between the All Blacks and Wallabies is scheduled to be played at Auckland’s, Eden Park on Aug.7 but is unlikely to go ahead on that date if the Australian team has to isolate for a full 14 days on arrival.

New Zealand and Australia are due to meet again in Perth on Aug. 21 and Wellington on Aug.28. Rugby Championship tests between the All Blacks and Argentina are scheduled for Auckland on Sept. 11 and Wellington on Sept.18 and tests against South Africa are set down for Dunedin on Sept.25 and Auckland on Oct.2.

New Zealand Rugby said in a statement Friday it is considering various options for the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship and is working with the New Zealand government to find solutions.

“We know the uncertainty this creates is challenging for our fans, players and partners but remain commited to finding a path forward and continuing to deliver world-class Rugby in 2021,” chief executive Mark Robinson said. “We are continuing to work closely with the New Zealand government to explore the option of bringing Australia across the Tasman for the two Bledisloe Cup tests.

NZR said it is working with Australian Rugby and Rugby Championship organizers SANZAAR to find a way to keep the series alive.

One possible solution is that the All Blacks will base themselves in Australia and will play all of the scheduled matches there. Last year Australia hosted all matches in a Tri-nations series involving New Zealand, Australia and Argentina ater South Africa was unable to take part.

SANZAAR said it will announce any ‘potential and necessary’ changes to the Rugby Championship schedule “in due course.”

Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos said his organization is also “working closely with New Zealand Rugby and the various governments through different scenarios now.”