Sanzaar were forced to apologise for chairman Hamish McLennan’s conflicting statements on changes to the Rugby Championship schedule.
The organisation that oversees the southern hemisphere competition confirmed that its format will not change from 2026.
Earlier this year, a report in the Sydney Morning Herald indicated that there was a drive to shift the Rugby Championship from the August-October window to March, to better align with the northern hemisphere.
The talks were reportedly being driven by SA Rugby and the Argentina Rugby Union, who are concerned over player welfare as top internationals currently do not have an off-season.
In a wide-ranging interview with NZME’s Rugby Direct podcast, McLennan – who is also chairman of Rugby Australia – spoke about the potential changes, and suggested New Zealand Rugby were the only member nation against the move.
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“Sanzaar would like to clear up any misunderstanding surrounding the future playing window for the Rugby Championship,” the organisation said in a statement.
“This follows an interview with Rugby Australia and current Sanzaar chairman Hamish McLennan on a New Zealand podcast Rugby Direct, in which he discussed the Rugby Championship schedule.
“Sanzaar can reiterate that until 2026 the existing mini-tour match schedule is locked in.
“Furthermore, the Rugby Championship window will not change from 2026 with the national unions working on competition models for the August/September window to ensure maximum high performance and commercial outcomes.
“Sanzaar is part of World Rugby’s working programme that is exploring the potential creation of a global calendar, and review of playing windows, as part of the games’ work on the wider Regulation 9 [player availability] review. The Sanzaar executive committee has agreed the Rugby Championship has to fit into the existing sanctioned World Rugby playing windows for international rugby matches.
“Sanzaar apologises for any confusion on the Rugby Championship playing schedule.”
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