Wellington (AFP)
The All Blacks decided on Friday to withdraw from the Rugby Championship until new dates are found for their five games to play, consistent with the resumption of the coronavirus pandemic in the southern hemisphere.
In the meantime, the three-time world champions remain in New Zealand, instead of leaving for Australia for the next match, scheduled for August 28 in Perth, the Prime Minister having recently ordered a new containment following the discovery of a positive case.
There are five matches to play for the All Blacks in this Rugby Championship, the one against Australia, then twice two matches against South Africa, the world championship, and Argentina.
"Given the uncertainties, it seems reasonable to take a break and find more clarity in the programming of these matches," said New Zealand Rugby (NZR) executive director Mark Robinson.
"We remain 100% committed to playing the entire Rugby Championship in 2021 and we are working closely with SANZAAR (series promoter) to look at a variety of options," he added.
The first of the next two matches against South Africa, originally scheduled for September 25 in Dunedin, will be the 100th meeting between All Blacks and Springboks.
The All Blacks will therefore not leave their country to play in Perth on August 28 against the Wallabies, which they have just beaten twice in August at Eden Park in Auckland.
They should have been quarantined upon arrival in Australia.
New Zealand hooker Codie Taylor is about to score a try despite tackles from two Australian players in their second Bledisloe Cup match on August 14, 2021 at Auckland's Eden Park MICHAEL BRADLEY AFP / Archives
Some media have reported a possible displacement of this match in the province of Queensland, and others perhaps in Europe.
Argentina's matches have already been moved and South Africa forfeited the entire Rugby Championship last year for the same reasons.
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