Rugby: Bledisloe clash at Wembley? Inside the All Blacks’ Aussie ultimatum

Head-spinning scenario planning amid the global pandemic is in full swing for the All Blacks as Sanzaar weighs three possible Rugby Championship hosts.

With three options on the table for the four-nation tournament, the Herald understands the All Blacks are preparing to be away from home for 13 to 15 weeks.

With New Zealand in Covid-19 alert level 4, and two weeks quarantine required to re-enter, NZ Rugby today cancelled the two Springboks tests scheduled for September 25 in Dunedin and October 2 at Eden Park.

The first of those is the 100th test between the All Blacks and Springboks, which may now be staged at Twickenham.

Due to the national lockdown NZ Rugby also cancelled two Black Ferns tests against the Wallaroos scheduled for September 26 in Christchurch and Eden Park the following week.

The Herald understands the All Blacks considered departing New Zealand for Perth this Saturday, but with Rugby Australia unable to provide assurances Queensland will host the Rugby Championship, the decision has since been made to delay the team leaving.

The third, sold-out Bledisloe Cup test in Perth on August 28 will, therefore, have to be rescheduled, with NZR confirming today it had made the decision not to send the All Blacks to Perth this weekend.

The All Blacks are committed to playing the third Bledisloe, and the Herald has learned it could potentially be staged at the end of the Rugby Championship on October 9 – possibly at Wembley.

New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson said every effort had been made to keep the tests in New Zealand.

“We share the disappointment of our fans, players and other stakeholders, particularly those in Dunedin where the sold-out 100th test between the All Blacks and South Africa was shaping up as a very special occasion.

“However, after discussions with Government, it is clear that the Covid-19 travel restrictions meant there was no way of bringing the South African and Wallaroos squads into New Zealand and we understand the importance of putting the health and safety of New Zealanders first.”

Robinson also explained the decision not to send the All Blacks to Perth.

“Without complete certainty on the team’s next movements around the Rugby Championship we felt it was prudent for the team to stay put in New Zealand until Sanzaar have announced the full tournament schedule.

“Once the team leaves our shores, they currently can’t return until November 23 post their Northern Tour, so given the uncertainty, it makes sense to pause and get more clarity on these fixtures.

“We remain 100 percent committed to playing in the entire Rugby Championship in 2021 and are working closely with Sanzaar to look at a range of options to reschedule these important matches.”

Sanzaar are understood to be working through three scenarios for the Rugby Championship, with a decision expected within the next 48 hours. Those include staging the tournament in Queensland, South Africa, or Europe.

The Herald understands NZ Rugby is unlikely to agree to South Africa hosting the tournament. As it stands, matches in the Republic cannot be played with crowds and travelling there could pose problems for the All Blacks entering Washington DC for their money-making test against the USA on October 23.

Hosting the Rugby Championship in South Africa would also force the All Blacks to traverse multiple time zones – South Africa-USA-Europe – en route to their end-of-year tour.

Queensland remains a strong contender to host the tournament, with Rugby Australia said to be positive it will secure late approval from the State government despite the border being closed to New Zealand on Thursday.

Europe has emerged as an enticing prospect as it allows matches to be played with full crowds. The Herald understands the first Rugby Championship test would be held in Paris as this is the best quarantine route that would allow all four teams to progress onto the UK, where matches are being eyed for Twickenham, Cardiff and possibly Dublin.

If the Rugby Championship is held in Europe the All Blacks and Wallabies could potentially play their third Bledisloe at Wembley on October 9. The All Blacks would then likely send a reduced squad to Washington DC, with the remainder staying in the UK to prepare for their opening end-of-year tour game against Wales in Cardiff on October 30.

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