Rugby Australia has been forced to move the Wallabies' opening Test match against France from the SCG to Suncorp Stadium after New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian place greater Sydney in a two-week lockdown.
Berejiklian announced the 14-day lockdown this weekend after the Bondi cluster continued to grow.
The Wallabies' first Test against France will take place on July 7, two days before the end of the lockdown.
The change means Brisbane will host the first and third Tests of the three-match series, while Melbourne will stage the second on July 13 at AAMI Park.
“It’s never an easy decision to move a fixture," said Rugby AU CEO Andy Marinos in a press release.
"One thing that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us is that we have to be able to pivot quickly. Following the announcement yesterday, we were faced with yet another challenge and we knew we had to respond swiftly.
“We were all excited for the Wallabies to return to the Sydney Cricket Ground for the first time in 35 years and have enjoyed great support and cooperation from Destination New South Wales, the New South Wales Government and the Sydney Cricket Ground in assisting us with safe quarantine of the French team, as well as the planning and preparation for the Test match.
“We’re obviously disappointed for Wallabies fans in New South Wales who will miss the opportunity for a home Test in this French Series, but we are excited that Test Rugby will be returning during the eToro Rugby Championship later this year.
"We will continue to work with the respective health authorities around Australia to ensure all events are safely delivered for fans, players and officials."
Rugby Australia has also postponed the two-match Wallaroos-Samoa series due to travel restrictions.
“I am equally disappointed for our Wallaroos squad following the postponement of their series," Marinos said.
"It’s been a really challenging year for them with the postponement of the Rugby World Cup to 2022 and now this delay, before we can finally see them finally taking the field in the coming months.
"We are now busy seeking an appropriate window for the Tests to take place.
“I want to thank Grace Hamilton and the rest of the Wallaroos team, our sponsors and broadcasters for their understanding as well as Manusina Samoa, who were due to assemble next week."
