Rugby Championship - to be in Aus...

kiwigreg369 · Post by **kiwigreg369** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:01 am

No sure pinch is right - isn't it both vying to hold - whatever sells papers i guess.
Either way RC could be on - fantastic news.

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Australia is believed to have pinched the Rugby Championship from under New Zealand’s nose, with the four-team southern hemisphere tournament set to be played on this side of the ditch as news emerged that Argentina coach Mario Ledesma had tested positive for COVID-19.

As revealed earlier in the week, Australia had put itself in the box seat to win hosting rights despite New Zealand being the favoured candidate for the six-week tournament pencilled in for November and December.

SANZAAR officials held a meeting overnight to discuss who should host the event.

While there has been no official confirmation, sources with knowledge of negotiations said Australia had won hosting rights and that NSW was the preferred destination.

It would mean the Wallabies will head to New Zealand first, as soon as next Sunday, to play two Bledisloe Cup matches against the Kiwis before returning for a Rugby Championship on home soil against the All Blacks, Springboks and Pumas beginning in early November.

The New Zealand Herald also reported on Friday morning that Australia was expected to be announced as Rugby Championships hosts.

The report said the first two Bledisloe Cup matches would be pushed back a week and staged on October 17 and 24, most likely in Auckland and Wellington.

Australia's superior quaratine conditions, under which teams can train together in large groups while in isolation, are understood to have been taken into account.

SANZAAR will make an announcement at 1pm AEST.

Meanwhile Ledesma, the former Wallabies assistant and current Argentina head coach, has tested positive to COVID-19 along with a number of other staff members and players.

Despite the news, Argentina is still hopeful of competing in the Rugby Championship, which is just under two months away.

Last week, Argentina announced that six of its players had tested positive for COVID-19 and after another round of tests, it appears the virus is more widespread than first thought.

A statement posted on the Pumas website said: "The national team carried out a new batch of PCR tests. The results of the swabs showed the appearance of positive cases of COVID-19 in some members of the staff. Among them, the coaches Mario Ledesma, Nicolas Fernandez Miranda and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.

"For their part, the new positive cases among the players correspond to Felipe Ezcurra, Matias Moroni, Tomas Cubelli, Matias Orlando and Mateo Carreras. Those infected were isolated, are asymptomatic and in good health."

Some members of the squad who have been isolated from others will continue to train, while others will have to quaratine for the time being.

Jay Cee Gee · Post by **Jay Cee Gee** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:14 am

Meh, I'm not bothered either way. Will be a tough schedule though, reports are NZ will be pushing for 6 tests in 5 weeks.

kiwigreg369 · Post by **kiwigreg369** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:44 am

i hope they keep tight timeframe - with larger squads using high rotation - in part to allow a late Nov finish so people can travel back and quarantine as need before a break.

I think for NZ that means we can:
- look at combos in midfield, backrow, back three
- blood new members (front five especially)
- test leadership depth - some captaincy rotation, but also look after wider leaders in team (Sam, Sam and others)
- work on 10/15 combo's (RMo, BB, DMac, Jordie plus Jordan)

grievous · Post by **grievous** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:52 am

More chance winning at home than away on hoodoo grounds
Well done Macca

kiwigreg369 · Post by **kiwigreg369** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:58 am

If it does come to NSW - personally hope - it means some games could be in the suburbs / distributed around... i maybe being hopeful here.

wamberal · Post by **wamberal** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:35 am

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:58 am If it does come to NSW - personally hope - it means some games could be in the suburbs / distributed around... i maybe being hopeful here.

How about at the Home of Rugby - TG Millner???

shanky · Post by **shanky** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:45 am

wamberal wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:35 am
kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:58 am If it does come to NSW - personally hope - it means some games could be in the suburbs / distributed around... i maybe being hopeful here.
How about at the Home of Rugby - TG Millner???

Isn’t it a leagues club carpark now?

Zakar · Post by **Zakar** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:54 am

Neat

kiwigreg369 · Post by **kiwigreg369** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 2:00 am

shanky wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:45 am
wamberal wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:35 am
kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:58 am If it does come to NSW - personally hope - it means some games could be in the suburbs / distributed around... i maybe being hopeful here.
How about at the Home of Rugby - TG Millner???
Isn’t it a leagues club carpark now?

I was thinking Newcastle, Brookvale. Assume Para stadium is in the mix.
And not soulless Olympic park...

wamberal · Post by **wamberal** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 2:03 am

shanky wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:45 am
wamberal wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:35 am
kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:58 am If it does come to NSW - personally hope - it means some games could be in the suburbs / distributed around... i maybe being hopeful here.
How about at the Home of Rugby - TG Millner???
Isn’t it a leagues club carpark now?

RSL Club, to be fair. No leaguies for us!!! (I still remember when Michael Cleary tried to join - his membership was rejected on the grounds that he was a professional).

grievous · Post by **grievous** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 3:30 am

It won’t be played at Shute grounds, why would it?
Homebush or Bankstown
All other codes will have finished

wamberal · Post by **wamberal** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 3:40 am

grievous wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 3:30 am It won’t be played at Shute grounds, why would it?
Homebush or Bankstown
All other codes will have finished

Err, it was a joke, old chap.

vh5150 · Post by **vh5150** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 7:06 am

Expect the All Blacks to lock up the Bledisloe at home and then send a squad of fringe players to Australia with maximum team rotationfor the Championship. It is of little significance and 10 weeks away is a massive commitment.

Olddantucker · Post by **Olddantucker** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 7:08 am

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 2:00 am
shanky wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:45 am
wamberal wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:35 am
kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:58 am If it does come to NSW - personally hope - it means some games could be in the suburbs / distributed around... i maybe being hopeful here.
How about at the Home of Rugby - TG Millner???
Isn’t it a leagues club carpark now?

I was thinking Newcastle, Brookvale. Assume Para stadium is in the mix.
And not soulless Olympic park...

A Bledisloe at Leichhardt Oval would be nice, thanks.

shanky · Post by **shanky** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 10:17 am

That would be quite the sight!
Can you imagine?

Like Concord oval for the RWC

Jim Lahey · Post by **Jim Lahey** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 10:25 am

What are NZ players doing right now out of curiosity, now that their SR and North v South game is over? Playing for local clubs or NPC?

Must be difficult trying to keep yourself match fit in case you get a game with only a couple of weeks notice.

akann · Post by **akann** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 10:28 am

Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 10:25 am What are NZ players doing right now out of curiosity, now that their SR and North v South game is over? Playing for local clubs or NPC?

Must be difficult trying to keep yourself match fit in case you get a game with only a couple of weeks notice.

NPC.

TEDS · Post by **TEDS** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 11:08 am

Yes an NPC....full of All Blacks, and I see Whitelock hasn't played NPC since 2010. Aus getting the RC is a non issue. NZ was always going to be consistent about quarantine, where as NSW, Qlnd, have been conspicuously inconsistent when it comes to 'Events' vs the little people, so I'm not surprised at the result, nor am I that put out.

OomStruisbaai · Post by **OomStruisbaai** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 7:23 pm

Springbokke to play in Perthfontein.

kiwigreg369 · Post by **kiwigreg369** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 9:25 pm

Ummm ... no, no Perth.

Looks like AUs lighter quarantine requirements won the day (or NZ higher requirements lost the day). Money is equal share (not sure that’s all money - think there is benefit locally), and NSW residents benefit from top level sport.

———

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-unio ... 55uu7.html

At this stage, five double-headers will take place in NSW, while a fly-in, fly-out Bledisloe Cup fixture in Brisbane will go ahead

gurudoright · Post by **gurudoright** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 11:57 pm

Ideally, Homebush for Bledisloe doubleheader
Games also at
Canberra
Newcastle
Parramatta
Wollongong

grievous · Post by **grievous** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 12:02 am

gurudoright wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 11:57 pm Ideally, Homebush for Bledisloe doubleheader
Games also at
Canberra
Newcastle
Parramatta
Wollongong

Agree with that
A large vacuous stadium is what’s needed

wamberal · Post by **wamberal** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 12:33 am

grievous wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2020 12:02 am
gurudoright wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 11:57 pm Ideally, Homebush for Bledisloe doubleheader
Games also at
Canberra
Newcastle
Parramatta
Wollongong
Agree with that
A large vacuous stadium is what’s needed

Are you sure you mean "vacuous"?

CrazyIslander · Post by **CrazyIslander** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 12:34 am

gurudoright wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 11:57 pm Ideally, Homebush for Bledisloe doubleheader
Games also at
Canberra
Newcastle
Parramatta
Wollongong

If they're playing double headers than Homebush will be the only venue.

Auckman · Post by **Auckman** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:06 am

Ahem Parramatta Stadium please. Best stadium in the land.

UncleFB · Post by **UncleFB** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:11 am

Auckman wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:06 am Ahem Parramatta Stadium please. Best stadium in the land.

Yeah, I'm keen to go every game if they're at Parra, but less so if Homebush. Not just for the stadium but ease of access - jump on fast train at Central jump out at Parra. No fluffing around swapping trains.

CrazyIslander · Post by **CrazyIslander** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:17 am

UncleFB wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:11 am
Auckman wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:06 am Ahem Parramatta Stadium please. Best stadium in the land.
Yeah, I'm keen to go every game if they're at Parra, but less so if Homebush. Not just for the stadium but ease of access - jump on fast train at Central jump out at Parra. No fluffing around swapping trains.

30k isn't big enough.

UncleFB · Post by **UncleFB** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:25 am

CrazyIslander wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:17 am
UncleFB wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:11 am
Auckman wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:06 am Ahem Parramatta Stadium please. Best stadium in the land.
Yeah, I'm keen to go every game if they're at Parra, but less so if Homebush. Not just for the stadium but ease of access - jump on fast train at Central jump out at Parra. No fluffing around swapping trains.
30k isn't big enough.

We'll be in some form of lockdown by then anyway so there'll only be 500 in the crowd max.

shanky · Post by **shanky** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:36 am

Auckman wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:06 am Ahem Parramatta Stadium please. Best stadium in the land.

Suncorp is pretty special as well. But Wankbest is the best.

TEDS · Post by **TEDS** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:45 am

Interesting they are happy to go with locations that will half fill a stadium at best.

Adrianmole · Post by **Adrianmole** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 2:04 am

Hopefully the RC does go ahead, regardless of the venues.

I t would great to see some of the new young talent on display.

Olo · Post by **Olo** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 2:11 am

What are they going to do with the Argies, particularly the ones with COVID and those who have been around them?
It will be great to see these games.

Fat Old Git · Post by **Fat Old Git** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 3:01 am

TEDS wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:45 am Interesting they are happy to go with locations that will half fill a stadium at best.

Would full stadiums be allowed currently?

Anyway, great to hear we might be getting some test rugby.

kiwigreg369 · Post by **kiwigreg369** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 7:03 am

Article mentions 50% crowd.

I read double header initially as two games back to back in one stadium. But it might mean two games, one after the other, in different stadiums - as that means all teams have equal breaks.

Arg are meant to be sorted before arrive. Critical difference is Aus allowed bigger bubble earlier.

To be fair SA & Arg should play each other first - as neither will have played.

Aus and NZ will on their 3rd Bled game by this time.

mdaclarke · Post by **mdaclarke** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 10:48 am

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/a ... d=12364218

Seems like there is a lot of mud slinging in NZ regarding the loss of the tournament

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all ... rugby-boss

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/a ... d=12364306

shanky · Post by **shanky** » Sat Sep 12, 2020 11:12 am

mdaclarke wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2020 10:48 am https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/a ... d=12364218

Seems like there is a lot of mud slinging in NZ regarding the loss of the tournament

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all ... rugby-boss

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/a ... d=12364306

Crikey. Don’t tell me St Jacinda may have made a boo-boo.

Adrianmole · Post by **Adrianmole** » Sun Sep 13, 2020 8:14 am

It is an election so lots of posturing to he had.

The RC championship in OZ is not a cert in any case as COVID and SA availability are major flys in the ointment.

NZ may have to another round of Soup Aoteroa, if the NZRU can afford it, but without the crowds is a huge barrier.

mdaclarke · Post by **mdaclarke** » Sun Sep 13, 2020 8:24 am

Adrianmole wrote: ↑Sun Sep 13, 2020 8:14 am It is an election so lots of posturing to he had.

The RC championship in OZ is not a cert in any case as COVID and SA availability are major flys in the ointment.

NZ may have to another round of Soup Aoteroa, if the NZRU can afford it, but without the crowds is a huge barrier.

Without South Africa there isn't any point.

https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/madness-if ... by-champs/

usermame · Post by **usermame** » Sun Sep 13, 2020 10:07 am

shanky wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2020 11:12 am Crikey. Don’t tell me St Jacinda may have made a boo-boo.

Well, if one has to choose between the veracity and competence of NZ Rugby or Aunty Jacinda I know where my money's going. How about you?

grievous · Post by **grievous** » Sun Sep 13, 2020 10:18 am

TEDS wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:45 am Interesting they are happy to go with locations that will half fill a stadium at best.

Homebush suits this purpose, maximum crowd possible under circumstances.