Sydney (AFP)

Australia was preferred to New Zealand on Friday to host the Rugby Championship from November 7 to December 12, but the coronavirus pandemic still threatens the hosting of the four nations tournament in the Southern Hemisphere.

Doubts weigh in particular on the participation of South Africa and Argentina, the two other countries playing this tournament, which was initially due to start in August but whose formula has been revised due to the Covid-19.

Thus, the twelve matches - eleven in New South Wales, the State of Sydney, and one in Queensland - must take place in Australia, which has doubled on the wire New Zealand yet approached to organize the tournament.

Under New South Wales rules, matches could be played with an audience (up to a quarter of the stadium capacity, without exceeding 10,000 spectators).

But the pandemic could still have consequences on the holding of the tournament.

First for the arrival of South Africa, world champion, where the virus continues to be active and where all sports competitions are still at a standstill.

The participation of the Springboks will depend on the "relaxation" of these suspensions and "the resolution of a number of logistical problems, including the opening of international air borders", noted Andy Marinos, director general of Sanzaar, organizer. of the competition.

The epidemic affects Argentina more directly, whose coach Mario Ledesma, five players and staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a statement released Thursday by the Argentine federation.

"The infected people have been isolated, they are asymptomatic and in good health," reassured the federation.

The Sanzaar preferred Australia to New Zealand "on the basis of government quarantine protocols and trade guarantees."

In compensation, the All Blacks will host the Wallabies twice in October, two test matches initially planned in Australia.

The protocol provides that teams can train together during the mandatory 14-day quarantine period in Australia before their first match.

While neither South Africa nor Argentina have resumed competition since the pandemic put global sport on hiatus, franchises in Australia and New Zealand have on the other hand already replayed, with two national versions of the Super rugby.

© 2020 AFP