The Rugby Championship is reportedly set for a last-minute relocation to Europe, as SANZAAR scrambles for solutions amid Australasia's worsening COVID-19 climate.
Original host Western Australia is now completely off the table due to its 14-day quarantine restriction requirement for all three of the visiting teams, per reports from Sydney Morning Herald.
According to the UK's Daily Telegraph, SANZAAR is seriously considering taking the tournament to Europe - namely Paris' Stade de France, London's Twickenham, Dublin's Aviva Stadium and Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
All of those stadiums which would expect to host fans under the respective countries' current coronavirus regulations, although some form of exemption would be required from the UK Government for the games in England and Wale to take place.
"The RFU is always open to discussion regarding the global calendar and we are aware of the challenges facing The Rugby Championship at the moment, much further consultation is required around player welfare and potential organisational and commercial impacts for all Unions therefore it is too early to speculate on any developments," a spokesperson from England's RFU tells Daily Telegraph.
On Friday, the Western Australia Government confirmed its chief health officer is still awaiting a "number of conditions" to be met, including arrival of international teams a minimum of seven days prior to the game.
The All Blacks were scheduled to depart for Perth on Sunday to play the third Bledisloe Cup test against Australia on August 27, before completing their Rugby Championship slate with two tests apiece against Argentina and South Africa, which wouldn't comply with that mandate.
The tests against the Springboks were originally set to be played in New Zealand, but it's understood the squad would likely look to avoid returning home before their annual year-end European tour, which also includes a stop in the US.
Forming a bubble in Queensland is another potential option for the competition, although Sanzaar would still need exemption from the state Government for South Africa and Argentina to cross straight from Sydney, while the All Blacks would also need to quarantine for 14 days.
South Africa is reportedly also being considered as an option, although playing in empty stadiums makes it less appealing - particularly from a financial perspective.
On Thursday, Pumas coach Maria Ledesma said his team is open to any scenario.
"There is uncertainty," said Ledesma. "If we have to go to Europe or stay in South Africa, we'll stay here. If we have to move, we'll move. No problems."
All Blacks players and staff are currently on family leave, with NZ Rugby working to ensure they're able to assemble for their scheduled departure from Auckland on Sunday.
"We will be guided by Government travel guidelines and any potential border restrictions in Australia while working closely with SANZAAR and Rugby Australia in coming days to understand what the impact is on our plans," NZR chief executive Mark Robinson said on Monday.
