Fewer home Tests, a shortened Tri-Nations and no end of year tours in a Rugby World Cup year means that the three big Southern Hemisphere powers will as a consequence earn less money in 2011.
According to the allblacks.com website, the Wallabies have confirmed their 2011 Test dates, and will only host three matches, down from seven home Tests this season.
The Springboks in turn will play two home Tri-Nations Tests next year (August 13 v Australia in Durban and August 20 v New Zealand in Port Elizabeth). In contrast, this year the Boks played six Tests at home.
The All Blacks are yet to finalise their 2011 fixture list.
The International Rugby Board’s ruling could change during the World Cup in 2015, with SANZAR keen to be able host more Test matches during the four yearly cycle.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) will be faced with a A$16 million black hole.
ARU chief executive John O’Neill said that “no one did a financial analysis of what this will cost”.
“Even factoring in the IRB grant of £3.5 million which we get paid, the net detriment is still $16m,” O’Neill said.
“New Zealand and South Africa have also done their numbers, and the total comes to $36m for the three SANZAR countries.”