New Zealand scrap Tests
New Zealand have called off their home Rugby Championship Tests against South Africa due to Covid restrictions and pulled out of the Wallabies Test in Perth next week in a decision slammed by Rugby Australia. The New Zealand government has extended a nationwide lockdown to combat a rise in infections.
The Rugby Championship was thrown into disarray yesterday with New Zealand refusing to travel to Perth for their match against Australia and cancelling two home Tests against South Africa, which has left Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie “b----- angry”.
New Zealand Rugby released an unexpected statement yesterday explaining that, due to the uncertainty surrounding the forthcoming fixtures, they would not be travelling to Australia for the final Bledisloe Cup match next Saturday. The statement added that government advice was that the world champion Springboks would not be admitted to New Zealand for the matches on Sept 25 and Oct 2. Forthcoming matches between the New Zealand women’s team and Australia have also been cancelled.
Mark Robinson, the NZR chief executive, said: “After discussions with government, it is clear that the Covid-19 travel restrictions meant there was no way of bringing the South African and Wallaroos squads into New Zealand. We understand the importance of putting the health and safety of New Zealanders first.”
The news comes a day after The Daily Telegraph reported that Europe was under serious consideration for a mid-tournament Rugby Championship switch. Large parts of Australia and the whole of New Zealand are under lockdown restrictions and, with the Covid situation worsening in both countries, Sanzaar reviewed a swap to the UK, Ireland and France.
Paris has emerged as a front-runner in preliminary proposals to host the first set of rescheduled matches, double-headers between Australia and South Africa, and New Zealand and Argentina. It is understood, however, that the Stade de France is undergoing maintenance work. The schedule could then move on to other venues such as Twickenham, Cardiff and Dublin. “Without complete certainty on the team’s next movements around the Rugby Championship we felt it was prudent for the team to stay put in New Zealand,” Robinson said. Rennie took aim at NZR’S handling of the situation, saying he was “b----- angry” about the lack of consultation. “Our boys all found out through social media. NZ Rugby didn’t even have the respect to consult RA [Rugby Australia] about their decision, so that’s hugely disappointing.” Today’s match between South Africa and Argentina in Port Elizabeth will take place as planned. Springboks captain Siya Kolisi said, however, that his side would not be distracted by the confusion. “We can’t control everything, but tomorrow is happening and we are really excited,” Kolisi said.