Optus Stadium set to host Wallabies in massive double-header of international rugby n

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20-08-21, 11:40
.X.

All Blacks v Wallabies match at Optus cancelled amid New Zealand Lockdown

Nick Taylor
PerthNow
August 20, 2021 1:16PM

The Bledisloe Cup clash planned for next Saturday at Optus Stadium has been cancelled, New Zealand Rugby confirmed this morning.

The All Blacks had been scheduled to travel to WA to face the Wallabies in a blockbuster clash, but the trip was cancelled two days before the team’s planned departure amid New Zealand’s growing COVID concern.

The All Blacks had been given a deadline of arriving in Perth on Saturday by the WA Health authorities for the game to go ahead.

They had planned to fly into Perth from Auckland on Sunday, six days before the game, and join the Wallabies who have been in WA for a week and undergo regular COVID testing.

The move follows Thursday’s confusion with WA’s Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson saying he had not given the green light for the game to go ahead after Optus Stadium boss Mike McKenna declaring it had been given the all-clear.

NZ Rugby Chief executive Mark Robinson said: "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 Fortinet Rugby Championship in 2021 and are working closely with SANZAAR to look at a range of options to reschedule these important matches.”

RugbyWA chief executive Nathan Charles said he was “hugely disappointed” but optimistic an alternative date could be found.

“We live in a world of huge uncertainty but we will be working to ensure it happen,” he said.

“There is a silver lining and that is being able to access the Wallabies at grassroots level.

“We are making the most of having the Wallabies in town. They are heading to local premiership games this weekend and junior games next weekend.

“Having them accessible is a huge influence on the local game.”

The All Blacks secured the Bledisloe Cup for a 19th straight year with their 33-25 and 57-22 victories at Eden Park earlier this month.

Two years ago in the first ever Test match at against the All Blacks at Optus, the Wallabies scored a surprise 47-26 win in front of a record 61,241 crowd.
20-08-21, 11:53
jargan83

Did you miss the 9 or so posts including that article before yours?
20-08-21, 11:59
.X.

yep

my bad - sorry all
20-08-21, 12:01
Jules

So disappointed - Not going to do the RA coffers much good..
20-08-21, 12:42
jargan83

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

So disappointed - Not going to do the RA coffers much good..

So when State of Origin game 1 was moved from Melbourne to Townsville, the NRL said Melbourne would instead host a State of Origin match in 2024 as games had been promised to Perth and Adelaide for 2022 and 2023.

I wonder of Rugby Australia will honor the cancelled game in a similar fashion?
20-08-21, 13:04
jargan83

Rugby Australia has expressed disappointment at being kept in the dark over a decision to call off next weekend’s third Bledisloe Cup Test in Perth.

New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson revealed on Friday the All Blacks would not travel to Perth this weekend ahead of the fixture on Saturday, August 28, which has almost sold out the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium.

“It’s incredibly disappointing to be informed of this decision via the media, despite having a conversation with the CEO moments before and there [being] no mention that this was the intention,” Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos said in a statement.

“We will continue to leave no stone unturned in finding an option ... for the Perth Test.

“The team has been in camp since the end of June and jumped on a plane at the end of July to go to New Zealand with no certainty as to what the Test schedule will look like, or when they would be home.

“Despite this outcome, I am confident we will find a solution for the whole Rugby Championship in what continues to be a very challenging environment in which to work.

Rugby Australia has expressed disappointment at being kept in the dark over a decision to call off next weekend’s third Bledisloe Cup Test in Perth.

New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson revealed on Friday the All Blacks would not travel to Perth this weekend ahead of the fixture on Saturday, August 28, which has almost sold out the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium.

“It’s incredibly disappointing to be informed of this decision via the media, despite having a conversation with the CEO moments before and there [being] no mention that this was the intention,” Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos said in a statement.

“We will continue to leave no stone unturned in finding an option ... for the Perth Test.

“The team has been in camp since the end of June and jumped on a plane at the end of July to go to New Zealand with no certainty as to what the Test schedule will look like, or when they would be home.

“Despite this outcome, I am confident we will find a solution for the whole Rugby Championship in what continues to be a very challenging environment in which to work.

“We have been engaging in positive discussions with both teams as well as government partners and we’re confident we were close to finding a solution.”

New Zealand is currently in lockdown until at least Wednesday due to a COVID outbreak, which grew to 31 cases on Friday.

NZR said earlier on Friday current uncertainty over The Rugby Championship schedule meant the All Blacks would not travel to Perth this weekend as planned, ahead of three months on the road.

“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,” CEO Robinson said.

“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 per cent committed to playing in the entire Fortinet Rugby Championship in 2021 and are working closely with SANZAAR to look at a range of options to reschedule these important matches.”

WA Health said on Thursday formal approval was yet to be given to the NZ players to travel to Perth after Optus Stadium chief executive Mike McKenna said they had the same day.

“A number of conditions need to be met, including arrival of international teams a minimum of seven days prior to the game,” WA Health said.

The All Blacks secured the Bledisloe Cup for the 19th consecutive year after back-to-back victories against the Wallabies at Eden Park this month.

The Wallabies, who are already in Perth quarantining, won 2019’s inaugural Test at Optus Stadium against the All Blacks in front of a record 61,241 crowd at the venue.

Rugby Australia praised staff, partners and the WA Government for trying to secure a solution for the Perth Test, originally rescheduled from August 21.

“Thank you to the WA Government and staff at Optus Stadium as well as Nine, Cadbury, eToro and the Rugby Australia partners for their continued engagement and flexibility to work with us to find a solution in these difficult times,” he said.

“I would also like to thank the Wallaby team and management for their continued sacrifice, compromise and willingness to ensure Test matches get played.”

The All Blacks were scheduled to play a blockbuster Test against South Africa in Dunedin on September 25, and at Eden Park in Auckland on October 2.

“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 as a very special occasion,” Robinson said.

SANZAAR is set to make further announcements around the Rugby Championship schedule in due course.

Optus Stadium has been contacted regarding options for ticket-holders to next Saturday’s fixture.

https://www.watoday.com.au/sport/rug...20-p58kj9.html
20-08-21, 13:07
Jules

Pretty disrespectful not to tell them before the Media!!
20-08-21, 13:20
jargan83

Word out of the Bledisloe Cup lunch is that apparently Rugby Australia found out via the media minutes after speaking to the NZRU on the phone.

That's ice cold.
20-08-21, 15:31
jargan83

Quote:

Rugby Australia is working through alternative dates for the Bledisloe Cup to be held in Perth in 2021 and will advise as soon as possible. Should an alternative date be available, a ticket transfer will be offered.

We will provide an update as soon as we can and thank all our fans and the Rugby community for their support and patience.

- Source is the Wallabies Instagram
20-08-21, 16:59
Sheikh

Quote:

Originally Posted by jargan83

So when State of Origin game 1 was moved from Melbourne to Townsville, the NRL said Melbourne would instead host a State of Origin match in 2024 as games had been promised to Perth and Adelaide for 2022 and 2023.

I wonder of Rugby Australia will honor the cancelled game in a similar fashion?

You're new here, right?
20-08-21, 17:15
brokendown gunfighter

I think the NZRFU think they are bigger than the game
20-08-21, 17:19
shasta

Seems like the person most angry with this latest display of NZRU arrogance is a fellow Kiwi. And probably the only person in Perth surprised by this. :)

P.S. Well, except for Gunny. Apparently.

It's all about them. - D. Rennie.

https://www.theguardian.com/au/sport
20-08-21, 17:40
brokendown gunfighter

Quote:

Originally Posted by shasta

Seems like the person most angry with this latest display of NZRU arrogance is a fellow Kiwi. And probably the only person in Perth surprised by this. :)

P.S. Well, except for Gunny. Apparently.

It's all about them. - D. Rennie.

https://www.theguardian.com/au/sport

Not suprised,just pissed off(I know,its better to be pissed off,than pissed on- but we have copped both,without vass!)
20-08-21, 18:51
boof1050

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokendown gunfighter

Not suprised,just pissed off(I know,its better to be pissed off,than pissed on- but we have copped both,without vass!)

SIDEWAYS as well
20-08-21, 18:53
Alison

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

So disappointed - Not going to do the RA coffers much good..

And Mark McGowan has said he is looking to get the State’s contribution back too - about $4million!!

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