Bledisloe Cup date change: New Zealand pay to reschedule Rugby Championship
After sulking about losing the chance to host the Rugby Championship, New Zealand has handed Australia another small morale victory. SEE THE REVAMPED SCHEDULE HERE
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The first Bledisloe Cup on Australian soil will now be held in Sydney on October 31 after New Zealand agreed to cover the costs of switching the original dates to guarantee the All Blacks will be home on Christmas Day.
Initially scheduled to take place as a double header at the Olympic Stadium on December 12 - the Wallabies will now host the All Blacks in Sydney on October 31 - then a week later in Brisbane on November 7.
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Both of those games will be part of the Rugby Championship, which will follow the first two Bledisloe Cup games being held in New Zealand - this weekend and next.
The Rugby Championship, which includes Argentina and world champions South Africa, is being held entirely in Australia but now over seven weeks instead of six to appease the Kiwis.
The first five rounds, starting November 7, will be played as double headers while the final round on December 12 has been split after complaints from New Zealand that they would be stuck in quarantine on Christmas Day.
The tournament’s ruling body SANZAAR agreed to switch that game to October 31 on condition that New Zealand pays the costs of transferring the fixture.
BELOW: REVAMPED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
The Springboks and the Pumas will play each other as scheduled on December 12, but the match will be moved from Sydney to Newcastle.
“The opening of the travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand from New Zealand and an agreement by the parties on revised commercial outcomes has enabled the joint venture to consider alternative solutions in addressing our two key objectives of commercial viability and player welfare,” SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos said.
“This year has been a year of continued adjustment where the SANZAAR partners have had to compromise on a number of levels.”
The agreement will guarantee the tournament will now proceed in full after the Kiwis - who were stripped as hosts because of their strict quarantine protocols - threatened to boycott the final match, leading to a war of words between the New Zealand and Rugby Australia boards.
“I’m pleased this draw is now resolved and that the SANZAAR joint venture has reached a suitable compromise,” RA boss Rob Clarke said.
“Each party has had to sacrifice something, and I think that is a true indication of the strength of the SANZAAR alliance.”
REVISED DRAW FOR THE 2020 RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 2020
Matchday one – Saturday 31 October
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
19:45 AEDT - Australia v New Zealand
Matchday two - Saturday 7 November
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
17:00 AEDT - Argentina v South Africa
19:45 AEDT - Australia v New Zealand
Matchday three - Saturday 14 November
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
17:00 AEDT - New Zealand v Argentina
19:45 AEDT - South Africa v Australia
Matchday four - Saturday 21 November
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
17:00 AEDT - New Zealand v South Africa
19:45 AEDT - Australia v Argentina
Matchday five – Saturday 28 November
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
17:00 AEDT - Argentina v Australia
19:45 AEDT - South Africa v New Zealand
Matchday six – Saturday 5 December
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
17:00 AEDT - Argentina v New Zealand
19:45 AEDT - Australia v South Africa
Matchday seven – Saturday 12 December
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle 19:45 AEDT - South Africa v Argentina
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Despite the date change, there is still some doubt about whether the tournament will go ahead with South Africa yet to confirm their participation because of concerns their players are underprepared because of the COVID-19 lockdown.
While Australia and New Zealand have already played entire domestic competitions, matches only resumed in South Africa two weeks ago, leaving the Springboks a distinct disadvantage.
However, it is expected the world champions will participate in the championship because they would suffer a massive financial penalty by withdrawing.
The Pumas have already arrived in Sydney and are hoping to play at least one warm up match before the championship.
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The Brumbies and the Reds will be rewarded for their form in this year’s Super Rugby AU tournament by claiming the bulk of places in Dave Rennie’s first Wallaby side to play the All Blacks in Wellington on Sunday.
Rennie will announce his side on Friday morning but sources have said he’ll stay true to his word and choose players on their form in Super Rugby – while mixing youth with experience.
It is understood that James O’Connor and Matt Toomua will share the playmaking roles with Brumbies rookie sensation Noah Lolesio to start on the bench after being included among five new caps in the squad.
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The Western Force have added two Argentinian internationals to their squad for next season with Tomas Cubelli and Julian Montoya both planning to remain in Australia after the Rugby Championship.
Cubelli has earned 75 caps at halfback for the Pumas and previously spent two seasons with the Brumbies while Montoya, a hooker, has been capped 59 times.
“These signings bring with them a whole new world of experience, which will be massive for the growth of the club,” Western Force Head of rugby Matt Hodgson said.
“Every region plays rugby in different ways and has a different style. I think these players will suit the Force style of play but will also be able to add something special to help us stand out from the competition.”
HOOPER ON TRACK TO SMASH ULTIMATE WALLABY RECORD
As the founding member of Australian rugby’s most exclusive club, David Campese knows better than most just how fortunate Michael Hooper is to be playing his 100th Test for the Wallabies.
The current Test captain, Hooper will become just the 12th Australian to reach the magical milestone when he leads the Wallabies out against New Zealand on Sunday.
No-one has worn the Wallaby gold jersey with more pride than Campese and 24 years after he became the first Australian to achieve the feat, he’s still full of admiration for everyone who follows in his footsteps.
“It’s an honour every time you play for Australia so you never start your career thinking you’re going to play 100 Tests because there are so many factors outside of your control,” Campese said.
“I’ve heard some people say that you’ve got to be lucky to get to 100 caps but there’s no luck involved.
“It’s a very, very hard thing to do because you’ve got to play 99 Tests before you can get to 100 so you must have been pretty good to do that.
“It also takes a lot of determination and mental strength because there’s always ups and downs along the way and you can see with Hoops that he’s just one of those players that keeps working hard.”
Campese played his 100th Test in 1996 — more than 14 years after he made his debut, against the All Blacks in 1982.
The Wizard of Oz was already a legend of the game — a member of the 1984 grand slam side, a World Cup winner in 1991 and the world record holder for the most Test tries.
His ability to score tries seemingly out of nothing made him a hero to generations but even he had to battle to get to triple figures after falling foul of the selectors.
“In my first year, in 1982, Australia only played three Tests so playing 100 was never really on the radar until late in my career and there were a few selectors who didn’t really want me to get there,” he said.
“I’d have loved to have played my 100th at the Sydney Cricket Ground because it was the best stadium I ever played at but I ended up getting my 100th cap in Italy, where I spent many years. And then (Wallaby coach) Greg Smith dropped me for the next two matches before I played my final test against Wales.”
Hooper made his Test debut in 2012 so will reach the milestone in eight years — almost twice as fast as Campese — and with no signs of slowing down.
At 28, he’s still the Wallabies’ first-choice openside flanker and Campese says he wouldn’t be surprised if Hooper finishes his career as Australia’s most-capped player, surpassing George Gregan’s record of 139 appearances.
“Hoops deserves all the accolades he gets because he’s just so resilient, he keeps on going,” Campese said.
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“He’s been fortunate not to get injured a lot because that obviously doesn’t help but he’s just been a player who leads by example, not by talking a lot, but through his actions.
“It’s important when you’re part of an Australian team that other players respect you as well and you can see that with Hoops.
“He’s also one of those players that all the kids look up to as well and you can tell he just enjoys playing the game and that’s probably the most important thing for him. No-one ever knows how long you’re going to be a Wallaby for but it’s always just for a short time so you might as well enjoy it and don’t leave anything on the paddock.”
Originally published as Bledisloe Cup date change: New Zealand pay to reschedule Rugby Championship
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