Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The 2020 Rugby Championship is set to be hosted by New Zealand, writes Wayne Smith for The Australian. He notes that Rugby Australia will almost certainly support the possibility to make New Zealand the ‘hub’ to host all matches in this year’s restricted edition of the annual tournament. Argentina and South Africa will certainly both provide their respective seals of approval.
The move comes following previous plans for the competition to be played in Australia. Either way no matches will be in Argentina or South Africa as the COVID-19 pandemic prevents the possibility.
Australia is set to begin Super Rugby AU on Friday, July 03. Super Rugby Aotearoa began on June 13. It has seen matches played without any restrictions at stadiums. Super Rugby AU will allow for crowds of up to 10,000 per match.
New Zealand thereby has an advantage over Australia as a host for the Rugby Championship. Venues will be able to sell-out, adding to the commercial success of the competition.
Super Rugby Aotearoa matches have been played at the regular homes of the five teams: Auckland (Blues), Christchurch (Crusaders), Dunedin (Highlanders), Hamilton (Chiefs), and Wellington (Hurricanes). These same venues may be the host venues for the 2020 Rugby Championship.
