The Rugby Championship could be held over a six-week period in one city, this year. This was according to a report yesterday in News24.
The Rugby Championship is the annual rugby tournament played between Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It is normally played on a round-robin basis, with each team playing the other, once home and once away. However, with the world – including world sport – thrown into turmoil because of the Covid-19 pandemic there may have to be some innovative thinking around the tournament.
The tournament was due to begin in early August and be completed at the end of the following month. However, with the chaos because of the global coronavirus emergency SANZAAR (the body which administers the Rugby Championship) may have to look at another way of holding the tournament.
Reports indicate that the tournament could be held over six weeks in one city, possibly played in front of empty stadiums.
Perth, the city in Western Australia, has been cited as a likely candidate, given its favourable time zone location for Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
South Africa are the current holders of the Rugby Championship.
World sport has been severely disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The English Premier Football League was not completed, the Summer Olympics due to be held in Tokyo have been postponed until next year, and the 2020 Indian Premier League cricket tournament has been suspended indefinitely, having been scheduled to begin at the end of March.