Compiled by Ranjika Perera
BLEDISLOE CUP - REVISED SCHEDULE
New Zealand vs. Australia
# First Test - Saturday, 7 August at Eden Park, Auckland at 10.35 a.m.*
# Second Test - Saturday, 14 August at Eden Park, Auckland at 10.35 a.m.
# Third Test - Saturday, 28 August at Optus Stadium, Perth at 10.05 a.m.
* All times in Sri Lankan Time
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Bledisloe Cup rugby Test series between renowned Australian and New Zealand national teams have now been rescheduled to due to Covid-19 disturbances[/caption]
The much-awaited Bledisloe Cup has taken a huge hit due to the latest Covid-19 outbreak in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. Since the subsequent closure of the Trans-Tasman travel bubble, the officials were struggling to reschedule the tournament but luckily, they have now finalised an alternative plan to go ahead with the series.
The original schedule was supposed to begin in Auckland on Saturday (7), before shifting to Perth on 21 August, and finishing in Wellington one week later, on 28 August.
It became rather impossible to hold on to the initial plan as the New Zealand Government refused to approve exemptions for both the Wallabies and the All Blacks squads to travel from Auckland to Perth and back to Wellington without quarantine. However, after some deliberation, Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby had come to a final decision on the schedule.
The series will kick off as planned on the 7th Saturday at Eden Park. The second Test has been rescheduled to the 14th Saturday at the same venue. For the third and final Test, All Blacks will travel to Perth to finish the series on the 28th Saturday.
Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos said in statement, “It’s never an easy decision to adjust a schedule and firstly, I want to thank the Western Australian Government for their support and understanding as we continue to overcome hurdles. The recent Trans-Tasman bubble closure, New Zealand health orders, and State border closures and lockdowns, have forced us to make number of changes but we’re incredibly excited about the schedule ahead.
“It is good news for rugby fans in Western Australia with the Test set for Saturday 28 August. For any fan that had a ticket for the original date - please rest assured, you will be automatically transferred to the new date. If you now can’t make it though, you will be offered the opportunity for a full refund.”
However, All Blacks will be at an advantage getting to host the Wallabies at Eden Park in the first two Tests. Wallabies have not beaten New Zealand at Eden Park since 1986, which means Australia must make history to even stay alive in the Bledisloe Cup series.