Australia might play back-to-back Bledisloe Cup tests in New Zealand
Dave Rennie recently guided Australia to series win over France
©PA
Australia are likely to play back to back Bledisloe Cup Tests in New Zealand according to head coach Dave Rennie.
The Bledisloe Cup was originally set to kick-start at Eden Park on 7th August before the two teams lock horns again on 21st August at Optus Stadium which is also the opening game of the Rugby Championship. Both Australia and New Zealand will head back to Sky Stadium for the third and final Bledisloe Cup game.
However, with the New Zealand government imposing travel ban between the two countries, Rennie feels playing the first two games in New Zealand on 14th and 21st August is a likely outcome provided they receive the necessary clearances.
“We've talked about being prepared to be flexible and play on the 14th in New Zealand so that's one of the likely outcomes but there's certainly no option to play all three tests in New Zealand,” Rennie said on Sunday.
“It's unlikely that the Wellington test will be played on the 28th with us all going to Perth and then have to come back, so we could be playing seventh, 14th and 21st, with the last one in Perth.
“Nothing is confirmed ... there's a lot of tickets being sold for Auckland and Perth that's probably set in concrete and it's just whether both parties can make the 14th work.
“Our mindset is to win a Bledisloe in you have to win at least one in NZ to give us a chance in Perth so nothing changes really.”
The Australian squad are currently in a bubble in Queensland since the conclusion of the series against France which will work in their favour to be allowed to head into New Zealand for the first game at Eden Park.
“We have been constantly Covid tested twice a week for the last few weeks and we'll test again today, we'll test again on Wednesday and likelihood is will travel Friday,” added Rennie.
“So we'll be over there for eight days out from the first test.”
Australia last claimed the Bledisloe Cup in 2002 and has overall claimed the trophy 12 times with New Zealand winning 48 times.
