All Blacks set to be home for Christmas as late change to Rugby Championship 2020 schedule confirmed

All Blacks players celebrate. Photo / Photosport

The All Blacks will be home for Christmas after Sanzaar and Rugby Australia announced a revised draw for the 2020 Rugby Championship.

The 12-match tournament will now be played across seven weeks with Australia's clash against New Zealand moved from Saturday 12 December to Saturday 31 October at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.

South Africa's test against Argentina on Saturday 12 December has been moved to Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium to close out the tournament.

The remainder of the draw is otherwise unchanged with five straight weeks of doubleheaders beginning at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Saturday 7 November. Kick-off times have also been confirmed.

Sanzaar CEO Andy Marinos said: "The opening of the travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand from New Zealand and an agreement by the parties on revised commercial outcomes has enabled the joint venture to consider alternative solutions in addressing our two key objectives of commercial viability and player welfare.

"This year has been a year of continued adjustment where the Sanzaar partners have had to compromise on a number of levels. It is important to further acknowledge the sacrifice of a number of the players and team management that will have been away from home for close to six months by the time the Rugby Championship has concluded."

Rugby Australia Interim Chief Executive Rob Clarke said: "I really have to thank the New South Wales Government, under the leadership of Gladys Berejiklian as well as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and her Government in Queensland for their flexibility and support in accommodating this late change.

"I'm pleased this draw is now resolved and that the Sanzaar joint venture has reached a suitable compromise. Each party has had to sacrifice something, and I think that is a true indication of the strength of the Sanzaar alliance," Clarke said.

The Argentina team has already arrived in Australia and is completing training under strict health regulations, governed by NSW Health and NSW Police. South Africa's participation remains to be confirmed as the decision is dependent on several factors outside the control of Sanzaar. However, it is a positive sign that the Super Rugby Unlocked tournament kicks off in South Africa on Friday 9 October.

Rugby Championship Schedule

Round One - Saturday 31 October, 2020

ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Australia v New Zealand (9.45pm NZT)

Round Two - Saturday 7 November

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Argentina v South Africa
Australia v New Zealand (9.45pm NZT)

Round Three - Saturday 14 November

Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

New Zealand v Argentina (7.00pm NZT)
South Africa v Australia

Round Four - Saturday 21 November

ANZ Stadium, Sydney

New Zealand v South Africa (7.00pm NZT)
Australia v Argentina

Round Five – Saturday 28 November

McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Argentina v Australia
South Africa v New Zealand (9.45pm NZT)

Round Five – Saturday 5 December

Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Argentina v New Zealand (7.00pm NZT)
Australia v South Africa

Round Six – Saturday 12 December

ANZ Stadium, Sydney

South Africa v Argentina