Revised Rugby Champs could kick off in November

A six-week competition in New Zealand from early November until mid-December looks to be the prospective plan for a revised Rugby Championship.

Further details have emerged following confirmation from Sanzaar on Thursday that plans were in place for New Zealand to host the Rugby Championship later this year.

READ: Sanzaar looks to New Zealand to host Rugby Champs

Some of the key points have suggested South Africa and Argentina may travel early to New Zealand for warm-up games and preparation, while there is a profit-sharing model being mooted, with all four Sanzaar nations said to be keen on the overall idea.

ALSO READ: ‘South Africa, Argentina are all in’

NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson has reiterated planning is in the very early stages, but did confirm Sanzaar would foot the quarantine bill for the Australian, South African and Argentinian teams, and that Test rugby would likely stretch into the New Zealand summer months for the first time.

‘It’s a significant opportunity for the game here, and for the entire country which we’re excited about and eager to begin work with a number of key stakeholders, most notably the government, to see what we can make happen.

‘We’re looking to play from early-ish November until early to mid December, probably across six weeks. The actual format and draws and kick-off times, it’s too early to say with much certainty.’

ALSO READ: Sanzaar jumps in to help Argentina

Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

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