New Zealand are looking to co-host this year’s Rugby Championship with a southern-hemisphere partner, but South Africa and Australia are not in agreement.
Last year’s Rugby Championship was held entirely in Australia due to the Covid-19 pandemic although it was rebranded the ‘Tri-Nations’ after world champions South Africa pulled out.
New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson has confirmed the Kiwis are open to co-hosting the tournament.
However, South Africa – scheduled to host the British & Irish Lions tour in July to August – do not want to be involved in co-hosting the Championship. Australia have already said they are pushing to host the entire competition, which is likely to be staged in September to October with all four countries set to participate.
‘At this stage, [South Africa] have signalled that they don’t wish to host the Rugby Championship this year,’ Robinson said. ‘Our view at the moment is there may be a great opportunity to do a co-hosting format [with Australia]. We’ve got games the All Blacks are involved in we’d love to host in New Zealand, so that’ll be something we’re working towards.
‘But ultimately that’s a decision for Sanzaar to make with the feedback of its joint venture partners.’
Robinson also explained that New Zealand was focused on hosting the 100th match against the Springboks, a century on from their first clash in Dunedin in 1921.
