Wallabies unlikely to play at Canberra Stadium next year

It's been four years since the Australian rugby union team last played at Canberra Stadium and it will be at least another two before the drought breaks - maybe longer - with Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos saying it's unlikely they'll play in Canberra in 2022.

They were scheduled to end their absence against Argentina at Canberra Stadium on October 2, but Canberra's COVID-19 outbreak has forced the game to be shifted north.

It will be played on the Gold Coast as part of a double header, with all-but-one of the remaining Rugby Championship fixtures now scheduled for Queensland.

The third-and-final Bledisloe Cup game between the Wallabies and New Zealand will be held in Perth, although a date was yet to be finalised.

Canberra's Test was in doubt as soon as the ACT government announced it was extending the initial seven-day lockdown out to three weeks, although that will hopefully end next Thursday - a full month before the Test was scheduled.

But the uncertainty surrounding Canberra's ongoing outbreak meant it's been moved north.

Ticket holders will be refunded.

Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos said the pandemic meant a lot more international rugby games than normal were played in Australia over the past two years.

But if they returned to only playing three home games during The Rugby Championship next year then Canberra was unlikely to get one - with venues in Sydney and Brisbane preferred.

He said there might be opportunities if their bid for the 2027 World Cup was successful.

That could make for a long wait.

"It's all going to depend on what the schedule looks like to be honest," Marinos said.

"If we've only got our customary three Tests as part of The Rugby Championship here we already have a number of agreements in place with other states around that, so that would be unlikely at this stage."

MORE CANBERRA SPORT

The ACT government said while it was disappointing the match was moved they understood Rugby Australia's decision.

They will continue to work with them to bring future international fixtures to the capital.

"While it is disappointing the Wallabies-Argentina match will not be played in Canberra this year, we support Rugby Australia's decision to move all matches to Queensland," an ACT government spokesperson said.

"With the current COVID-19 outbreak in the ACT, the ongoing health and safety of Canberrans remains our highest priority.

"Discussions with Rugby Australia are ongoing as to the impact of this decision and the possibility of hosting future Wallabies content in Canberra."

THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Round Two

Date TBC: Australia v New Zealand - Perth Stadium.

Round Three

September 12: New Zealand v Argentina; South Africa v Australia at the Gold Coast.

Round Four

September 18: Argentina v New Zealand; Australia v South Africa at Lang Park.

Round Five

September 25: Australia v Argentina; New Zealand v South Africa at Townsville.

Round Six

October 2: Argentina v Australia; South Africa v New Zealand at the Gold Coast.