World-class rugby will grace McDonald Jones Stadium when the Wallabies, world champions South Africa and international heavyweights New Zealand arrive in Newcastle this November.
The six-week Rugby Championship 2020, labelled as a ‘mini World Cup’, is set to start at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, before spending a fortnight in Sydney, and then making its way to the Hunter.
Novocastrian fans will be treated to a mouth-watering double header on Saturday 28 November, with Australia taking on Argentina, followed by an epic battle between the Springboks and the All Blacks.
The tournament will be the first test of world champions South Africa since their 32-12 World Cup final victory against England in November last year, as well as for new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie.
Rugby Australia Interim Chief Executive, Rob Clarke, lauded the championship as a fantastic opportunity for rugby fans.
“[It’s] six unmissable back-to-back double headers featuring four of the very best Test nations in World Rugby – all in our backyard,” he said.
“This really is a once-in-a-lifetime event and I want to thank our terrific government partners in Destination NSW, as well as [NSW Premier] Gladys Berejiklian and her NSW Government in making this tournament possible.
“I also want to acknowledge Tourism Australia and Tourism Events Queensland for their support, as we showcase the very best of Australia to the rest of the world over the coming months.”
Fixtures between Australia and New Zealand, scheduled for 7 November and 12 December in Brisbane and Sydney, will double as matches for the prestigious Bledisloe Cup.
The inbound teams will be required to observe the COVID-19 public health regulations that are imposed by NSW and Queensland governments.
The teams will operate in a separate ‘bubble’ controlled by NSW police, with the squad being continually monitored in line with NSW health requirements.
Kick-off times are set to be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets will be available to the general public from 11am on Thursday 8 October.
– Calum Thomson
Rugby Championship 2020 fixtures:
Round One – Saturday 7 November
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Argentina v South Africa
Australia v New Zealand
Round Two – Saturday 14 November
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
New Zealand v Argentina
South Africa v Australia
Round Three – Saturday 21 November
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
New Zealand v South Africa
Australia v Argentina
Round Four – Saturday 28 November
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Argentina v Australia
South Africa v New Zealand
Round Five – Saturday 5 December
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
Argentina v New Zealand
Australia v South Africa
Round Six – Saturday 12 December
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
South Africa v Argentina
Australia v New Zealand
