Share

Australia floats idea of Rugby Championship 'bubble' Down Under

  • Rugby Australia is eager to host this year's Rugby Championship.
  • The governing body's CEO Rob Clarke told reporters they're holding talks with the government about becoming a quarantine hub for the event.
  • It would see the Wallabies, Springboks, All Blacks and Los Pumas all stay in one city for the duration of the event.

Rugby Australia (RA) on Tuesday suggested a condensed Rugby Championship could be played entirely Down Under in a "quarantine bubble", as the sport looks to resume amid coronavirus restrictions.

Register your interest for the British & Irish Lions tickets in South Africa 2021

The governing body's interim CEO Rob Clarke also said talks were "well advanced" to organise an expanded, four-test Bledisloe Cup series against New Zealand this year.

Clarke said the Rugby Championship plan would require international sides to receive an exemption from Australia's strict border closures and submit to 14 days in isolation before taking part in the competition.

The Rugby Championship - considered the southern hemisphere's equivalent of the Six Nations tournament - is contested by South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, who make up the so-called Sanzaar nations.

"We're working with our Sanzaar partners around what the TRC (The Rugby Championship) looks like and it is condensed," he told reporters.

"That said, everybody is committed to trying to play a full (championship)."

Clarke said the plans for the Bledisloe Cup would involve playing two Tests in Australia and two in New Zealand. The cup has in recent years usually been a three-match series.

"There will be an extended Bledisloe Cup and we're well advanced with our discussions with our New Zealand colleagues on that," he said.

New Zealand and Australia are also planning domestic Super Rugby competitions, kicking off in the coming weeks, to fill the hole left by the postponement of the international tournament.

Both countries have had success in containing the spread of coronavirus, with New Zealand and some Australian regions recording multiple successive days without new cases.

Limited professional sport has resumed in Australia, most notably the National Rugby League which restarted last weekend with no spectators and under strict health protocols.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE