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![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
The COVID-19 crisis in Victoria has cost the state a Bledisloe Cup Test with the clash between the Wallabies and All Blacks scheduled for this year pushed back to 2022.
Marvel Stadium was supposed to host the match on August 8, but the already delayed game has now been pushed back by two years.
The new location for the Test against New Zealand in Australia this year is yet to be confirmed, with travel restrictions set to impact it’s location.
Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby are working towards an October 10 Bledisloe opener, with a second Test to follow a week later on October 17.
New Zealand’s women’s cricket team have been given permission to fly in to Queensland and will play six white-ball games against Australia starting later this month, after they serve 14-days in quarantine.
Victoria will still get to see Test match rugby next year, with a Test scheduled for July 2021 as well as hosting the touring British and Irish Lions in 2025.
Rugby Australia Interim Chief Executive Rob Clarke said it just was not possible to play in Victoria this year give the state’s coronavirus situation.
“The decision to swap the All Blacks Test to 2022 is a sensible one and I thank Premier Daniel Andrews and the Victorian Government for their flexibility and support,” he said.
“Rugby Australia will continue to support the Victorian Rugby community over the coming months.
“There is an exciting Test schedule ahead for all of our Victorian Rugby fans and I know that the Wallabies players, as well as players from around the world, are always extremely excited to play in Melbourne due to the terrific home support and the wonderful hospitality of all Victorians.”
Meanwhile the Melbourne Rebels remain in Terrigal on the NSW Coast, having made the Super Rugby finals for the first time.
A desire to get to Brisbane early for Saturday’s clash with the Reds has been shut down, because of biosecurity protocols, and the Rebels will have to stick to the fly-in, fly-out practice on match-day all teams have followed.
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
Will RA be terribly bothered anyway. Haven't they been bribed in advance? And thrown that down the money pit?
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
“[players] are always extremely excited to play in Melbourne due to the terrific home support and the wonderful hospitality of all Victorians.”
Really? News to me!
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby