SANZAAR

Rugby Championship to go ahead in 2022 with all four teams

The 2020 tournament was played in Australia without the Springboks, while last year all four teams took part with most of the competition held in Australia.

There has been speculation that South Africa was keen to join the Six Nations.

Rugby Australia, New Zealand Rugby, South Africa Rugby and Union Argentina Rugby have all committed to the organisation through to the end of the current broadcasting cycle in 2025, a SANZAAR statement said.

Pumas players kicked out of Rugby Championship for border breach

Governing body SANZAAR says the eight team members crossed the Queensland border into NSW yesterday without exemptions and were stopped trying to re-enter Queensland.

The travel was a direct breach of the present Queensland Government health orders and SANZAAR's Rugby Championship tournament biosecurity plan.

SANZAAR has informed Argentina Rugby that all members of this group are now ineligible to participate further in the tournament but Saturday's rugby championship test between Australia and Argentina on the Gold Coast will proceed.

Blues boost as prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi cleared of foul play charge

The hearing found Tu’ungafasi not guilty of contravening Law 9.12 (striking with shoulder) after he had been cited following the Blues’ defeat to the Crusaders at Eden Park on Sunday. The big tighthead had appeared to strike Scott Barrett in the chin with his shoulder during a ruck cleanout late in the match, and received a yellow card at the time by referee Paul Williams.

The Sanzaar citing commissioner deemed post-match the offence met the red-card threshold and Tu’ungafasi elected to defend himself at a judicial hearing.

Rugby Australia appoints SANZAAR's Marinos as chief executive

The Zimbabwean-born former Wales international replaces Rob Clarke, who took over on an interim basis after the resignation of New Zealander Raelene Castle in April.

"Despite there being a lot of hard work ahead, I believe that Rugby Australia is uniquely placed for success both domestically and on the global stage," Marinos said in a Rugby Australia news release.

"The game has endured substantial change over the last six to eight months and I'm optimistic and excited to be involved with Rugby Australia as it heads off in a new, positive strategic direction."

Pumas name three uncapped players

 

The 21-year-old Jaguares back was one of three uncapped players named in the Pumas matchday squad along with flanker Santiago Grondona and fellow centre Lucio Cinti, who could make their debuts off the bench.

Chocobares will line up with Matias Orlando in midfield at Western Sydney Stadium ooutside the experienced halfback pairing of scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli and flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez.

"It is a good opportunity to see how Santiago reacts," Ledesma told reporters on Thursday.

SANZAAR issue update on controversial red cards

The two players were both red-carded during the final and fourth Bledisloe Cup on Saturday.

Tu’ungafasi received his marching orders in the 22nd minute for a high-tackle on Wallabies wing Tom Wright. While Australia’s Swinton followed in the 34th minute for a similar tackle on All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock.

According to SANZAAR’s statement, both players to have contravened Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late, or dangerously.

Speculation of SANZAAR's demise premature

The future of the SANZAAR alliance has been cast into further doubt after a leaked report suggested New Zealand Rugby's (NZR) Aratipu review recommends the country pursues a trans-Tasman competition which would also included a Pacific side from 2021.

Media reports have suggested too the alliance - of South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina could be broken up.

But NZR chief executive Mark Robinson says the board is yet to discuss the recommendations of Aratipu review of Super Rugby.

SANZAAR refuse to give up on Rugby Championship as new details revealed about potential 2020 tournament

Despite the disruption caused by COVID-19, chief executive Andy Marinos wants the Wallabies, All Blacks, Springboks and Pumas all involved in a Rugby Championship starting in October.

Marinos told stuff.co.nz the tournament could run through to December if travel and health restrictions can cater for an eight-week window.

Australia and New Zealand are the likeliest destinations, with the pandemic having taken hold in South Africa and Argentina, preventing any rugby being played since Super Rugby was halted in March.

SANZAAR, Six Nations in talks over global rugby calendar

Southern hemisphere rugby body SANZAAR and the Six Nations have entered a consultation process aimed at creating an aligned global rugby calendar "in total transparency with unions, clubs and players".

The hope is to have international windows that are aligned between the northern and southern hemisphere, to lessen the overlap between club and country fixtures and free players from domestic commitments for internationals.

Japan rugby captain slams Sanzaar over Sunwolves dumping

The decision by organiser SANZAAR to revert to a purely southern hemisphere Super Rugby competition was a major blow for Japan and those who champion the growth of the game, as the nation prepares to showcase its development as hosts of the World Cup.

Leitch, who hasn't featured for the Sunwolves this season due to commitments with the national team, believes this is a mistake and that exposure to higher levels of competition is the only way to grow the sport he loves.

"It feels like the strong teams play within themselves and won't let anyone else in," Leitch said.