Sport

All Blacks react to losing Rugby Championship hosting rights

07:34 am on 12 September 2020

The All Blacks will have to spend more than two months away from their families to make the Rugby Championship a reality in Australia.

All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor in action in last year's Bledisloe Cup Photo: Photosport Ltd 2019

The squad will need to travel across the Tasman a fortnight before the six week Southern Hemisphere tournament begins on November 7 and players will potentially still be in quarantine in New Zealand come Christmas Day.

All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor is yet to get his head around the possibilty of spending 10 weeks away from home.

"I'm still working through that one mentally," Taylor said after scoring two tries to help Canterbury to a 43-29 win over North Harbour in the Mitre 10 Cup season opener.

"But there will be processes in place. You know the great thing about the All Blacks environment they make it feel like a home.

"It'll be tough being away from family and the kids but people have to do it all over the world.

"It'll be interesting, but hey we still get to play test footy."

Taylor is disappointed SANZAAR awarded Australia the hosting rights over New Zealand.

"You always want to play at home, even if it wasn't in front of your fans in an empty crowd. It'd still be a great opportunity to play in your own country."

All Blacks winger George Bridge Photo: Photosport

But he's philosophical about what lies ahead.

"With what's going on, the uncertainty, it's just what you have to do to get out there on the paddock."

Canterbury and All Blacks team-mate George Bridge echoed Taylor's sentiments.

"It'll be a fair bit of time away from home, but that's just the way it is. Some test match footy will be good to watch and be a part of," Bridge said.

"Obviously we haven't got the full details around the times and dates and stuff yet, but I guess that's just the way it is. It's been a rough old year and you've just got to be adaptable so whatever happens it'll be alright."

Bridge is relieved New Zealand Rugby expects to host two Bledisloe Cup tests next month.

"It's good to see that we've got a couple of test matches in New Zealand, which is massive."