The Bledisloe Cup test between Australia and New Zealand, scheduled for Melbourne this year, has been switched to 2022,, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Melbourne's Marvel Stadium was due to host a Bledisloe test for the first time since 2010 as part of a doubleheader involving both countries' men's and women's sides this year.
"Victorians are sticking together as the state works to slow the spread of coronavirus and it’s not possible to play this match in 2020," Rugby Australia interim chief executive Rob Clarke says.
"The decision to swap the All Blacks test to 2022 is a sensible one, and I thank Premier Daniel Andrews and the Victorian Government for their flexibility and support.
"Rugby Australia will continue to support the Victorian Rugby community over the coming months.
"There is an exciting test schedule ahead for all of our Victorian Rugby fans and I know that the Wallabies players, as well as players from around the world, are always extremely excited to play in Melbourne, due to the terrific home support and the wonderful hospitality of all Victorians," Clarke says.
The new location for the test against New Zealand in Australia will be announced in the near future.
Victoria, which accounts for about 75 percent of the country's total coronavirus infections of 26,320, extended a hard lockdown in its capital Melbourne until September 28, as the daily infection rates decline slower than hoped.
Reuters
