<p>New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has downplayed concerns that the country's strict biosecurity regulations could see next month's Bledisloe Cup matches moved to Australia or cancelled altogether.</p>.<p>New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Rugby Australia (RA) are yet to finalise details for the games, though October 17 and 24 have been pencilled in as potential dates.</p>.<p>Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, however, suggested on Sunday that NZR were pushing for a match on October 10 and said there was no way his team would be ready to play on that date given the biosecurity protocols in New Zealand.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/new-zealand-government-plans-higher-tax-for-top-earners-884678.html" target="_blank">New Zealand government plans higher tax for top earners</a></strong></p>.<p>While Australian media jumped on Rennie's comments and said there was a chance RA would refuse to play, Ardern told a media conference on Monday she did not think that was likely.</p>.<p>"I don't anticipate that being an issue," she said. "I believe we will be able to find a workable solution to make the Bledisloe Cup happen."</p>.<p>New Zealand's strict protocols, which mean teams would only be able to train in larger groups gradually as they go through the 14-day quarantine, was seen as one of the reasons it lost out to Australia for the Rugby Championship hosting rights.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/new-zealand-government-to-honour-maori-new-year-if-reelected-883721.html" target="_blank">New Zealand government to honour Maori New Year if reelected</a></strong></p>.<p>Ardern said hosting the Wallabies for the Bledisloe Cup was a different proposition from the Rugby Championship, which also involves South Africa and Argentina, in terms of risk.</p>.<p>More than a dozen Pumas players and coaches have tested positive for Covid-19 infections in the last two weeks.</p>.<p>"We are still working through logistics," she said.</p>.<p>"Keeping in mind ... it is a different risk profile for teams from Australia than the likes of South Africa or Argentina."</p>.<p>Ardern added the government would work with the dates that NZR and RA agreed upon.</p>.<p>A NZR spokesman said no dates had been finalised yet.</p>.<p>New Zealand's general election is scheduled for October 17 and Ardern said she felt confident the country could vote and also watch a rugby game on the same day.</p>.<p>"I will be trying to do the same," she said.</p>.<p>"I think the most important thing is that New Zealanders get the chance to see that match."</p>
<p>New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has downplayed concerns that the country's strict biosecurity regulations could see next month's Bledisloe Cup matches moved to Australia or cancelled altogether.</p>.<p>New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Rugby Australia (RA) are yet to finalise details for the games, though October 17 and 24 have been pencilled in as potential dates.</p>.<p>Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, however, suggested on Sunday that NZR were pushing for a match on October 10 and said there was no way his team would be ready to play on that date given the biosecurity protocols in New Zealand.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/new-zealand-government-plans-higher-tax-for-top-earners-884678.html" target="_blank">New Zealand government plans higher tax for top earners</a></strong></p>.<p>While Australian media jumped on Rennie's comments and said there was a chance RA would refuse to play, Ardern told a media conference on Monday she did not think that was likely.</p>.<p>"I don't anticipate that being an issue," she said. "I believe we will be able to find a workable solution to make the Bledisloe Cup happen."</p>.<p>New Zealand's strict protocols, which mean teams would only be able to train in larger groups gradually as they go through the 14-day quarantine, was seen as one of the reasons it lost out to Australia for the Rugby Championship hosting rights.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/new-zealand-government-to-honour-maori-new-year-if-reelected-883721.html" target="_blank">New Zealand government to honour Maori New Year if reelected</a></strong></p>.<p>Ardern said hosting the Wallabies for the Bledisloe Cup was a different proposition from the Rugby Championship, which also involves South Africa and Argentina, in terms of risk.</p>.<p>More than a dozen Pumas players and coaches have tested positive for Covid-19 infections in the last two weeks.</p>.<p>"We are still working through logistics," she said.</p>.<p>"Keeping in mind ... it is a different risk profile for teams from Australia than the likes of South Africa or Argentina."</p>.<p>Ardern added the government would work with the dates that NZR and RA agreed upon.</p>.<p>A NZR spokesman said no dates had been finalised yet.</p>.<p>New Zealand's general election is scheduled for October 17 and Ardern said she felt confident the country could vote and also watch a rugby game on the same day.</p>.<p>"I will be trying to do the same," she said.</p>.<p>"I think the most important thing is that New Zealanders get the chance to see that match."</p>