NZ are hoping to co-host this year’s Rugby Championship with one of their fellow competing countries, despite SA and Australia having differing ambitions.
New Zealand bid to co-host Rugby Championship, SA Rugby not interested
NZ are hoping to co-host this year’s Rugby Championship with one of their fellow competing countries, despite SA and Australia having differing ambitions.
NZ are hoping to co-host this year’s Rugby Championship with one of their fellow competing countries, despite SA and Australia having differing ambitions.
New Zealand Rugby are hoping to co-host this year’s Rugby Championship with one of their fellow competing countries, despite South Africa and Australia having differing ambitions.
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New Zealand were initially in line to host the 2020 tournament, but an outbreak of Covid-19 put pay to that idea, with their trans-Tasman neighbours instead taking on the role.
The NZR have put forward the idea of co-hosting, but the South African Rugby Union have ruled themselves out, while Australia want to go it alone.
“At this stage, they have signalled that they don’t wish to host the Rugby Championship this year,” NZR boss Mark Robinson said.
“Our view at the moment is there may be a great opportunity to do a co-hosting format.
“We’ve got games the All Blacks are involved in we’d love to host in New Zealand, so that’ll be something we’re working towards.
“But ultimately that’s a decision for SANZAAR to make with the feedback of its joint venture partners.”
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The 2021 Rugby Championship is scheduled to take place in September and October, with all four countries set to partake.
South Africa pulled out of last year’s tournament due to a lack of match practice, as well as travel restrictions, but have committed to the competition for the next decade.
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New Zealand are desperate to host their 100th clash against the Springboks, which coincidentally is a century on from their first encounter in 1921.
New Zealand are also close to allowing Australians to visit without quarantining, something which would allow the trans-Tasman Super Rugby tournament to go ahead.
That is scheduled to start on May 14 but continued travel restrictions between the two countries would make it difficult for the competition to go ahead.
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