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The remainder of the 2021 Rugby Championship will take place in Australia. All four of Argentina’s remaining matches are to be in the North Eastern state of Queensland. Los Pumas’ matches have been relocated to Gold Coast, Brisbane and Townsville.
The changes happen following the cancelation of matches in New Zealand. They see the matches moved to Australia and a new set of matches for rounds three, four and five is the outcome. They will be played in the form of double-headers.
The first of the double-headers will be on September 12 in the Southern Queensland city of Gold Coast. Argentina will face New Zealand in the first match with Australia subsequently taking on South Africa.
The CBUS Stadium in Gold Coast has played host to Australia vs Argentina on three occasions. First, the Wallabies were 23-12 winners against Los Pumas at the ground in 2012. Second, Australia won 32-25 in 2014. Third, Argentina completed an historic 23-19 win in 2018.
The teams will make the short trip north from the Gold Coast to Brisbane. The round four fixtures will take place at Suncorp Stadium. The venue is no stranger to either the Wallabies nor to big match rugby in general. It was the setting for two Quarter Finals at RWC 2003.
The venue played host to Australia vs Argentina in the 2019 Rugby Championship. It was the first time that the fixture had taken place on that ground. Prior meetings in Brisbane between the Wallabies and Los Pumas were played at Ballymore Stadium in 1983, 1986, 1995 and 2000. The 1983 match went down in history as one of Argentina’s greatest wins.
Townsville’s Brisbane Country Bank Stadium will host the final round of the 2021 Rugby Championship. Los Pumas have never played at the venue before. The venue will host New Zealand vs South Africa and Australia vs Argentina on September 25.
Like Gold Coast and Brisbane, Townsville is to be part of Australia 2027; the country’s bid to host Rugby World Cup 2027. Unlike the two, however, it has no prior experience in hosting Rugby Championship matches.
Los Pumas are to travel to Australia on Thursday. The team and staff will quarantine upon arrival. Arrangements have been made for the teams to train together while in quarantine.
2021 RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
August 14: New Zealand 57-22 Australia (Eden Park, Auckland)
August 14: South Africa 32-12 Argentina (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth)
August 21: South Africa 29-10 Argentina (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth).
August 21: Australia vs Nueva Zelanda (Optus Stadium, Perth) * Postponed
September 12: New Zealand vs Argentina (CBUS Super Stadium, Gold Coast)
September 12: Australia vs South Africa (CBUS Super Stadium, Gold Coast)
September 18: New Zealand vs Argentina (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
September 18: Australia vs South Africa (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
September 25: New Zealand vs South Africa (QLD Country Bank Stadium, Townsville)
September 25: Australia vs Argentina (QLD Country Bank Stadium, Townsville)
