Bledisloe Cup clash in doubt

Rugby Australia remains hopeful Saturday week’s Bledisloe Cup clash in Perth will go ahead despite WA premier Mark McGowan throwing doubt over the match.

The Wallabies are schedule to host New Zealand in the third game of this year’s Bledisloe Cup series at Optus Stadium on August 28 in a match that is also part of the four-nation Rugby Championship.

However, due to the current Covid-19 outbreak across the Tasman, New Zealanders flying into Perth from 3pm (AEST) on Wednesday would have to serve a two-week quarantine period.

While McGowan did not rule out an “arrangement” that would grant the All Blacks – who already lead the Bledisloe Cup series 2-0 – exemptions, he conceded the game might not go ahead as scheduled.

“We are not sure,” he said.

“Maybe we have to work out some arrangement, or there may be a bubble, or they just have to comply with the rules that exist for everybody else.

“It’s a moving situation and it would be disappointing for rugby fans if we are forced to cancel the game, but that is the nature of the world we live in.”

The Wallabies are due to meet New Zealand in Perth on August 28. Picture: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

That McGowan didn’t totally rule out the match being played on August 28 was enough for RA to remain optimistic that the match would take place as planned.

RA sources are more concerned about the future of the Rugby Championship that also involves South Africa and Argentina.

Perth had been expected to host several Rugby Championship matches.

However, McGowan all but put an end to that scenario.

“I think it would be unlikely – it’s not our number one priority,” he said.

If Perth is ruled out as an option, Queensland looms as a potential tournament saviour, with RA understood to have been in talks with government to move most of the remaining Rugby Championships games to the Sunshine State.

There are 10 Rugby Championship games left to be played, including the battle between the Springboks and Argentina on Sunday morning (AEST) in Port Elizabeth.

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