Newshub understands the Queensland State Government is still considering whether to host the Rugby Championship, which remains at an impasse.
The tournament has been thrown into doubt, after a COVID-19 spike in New Zealand and changing border protocols saw the All Blacks suspend travel plans to Perth for their third Bledisloe Cup encounter with Australia, and cancellation of two home tests against South Africa.
With the Springboks and Argentina Pumas also reluctant to commit without knowing what they face when they land in Australia, all eyes are now on Queensland authorities, who loom as likely saviours of the southern hemisphere competition.
But state premier Annastacia Palaszczuk seems in now hurry to make that decision until all the facts are in.
Sources close to the premier have told Newshub she wants serious analysis of the COVID bubbles of each of the teams - and rugby's timeline is irrelevant.
The Pumas and Springboks are currently in South Africa-based bubbles, and the Wallabies are in Perth, while the All Blacks are currently with their families at Alert Level 4 lockdown.
All governing bodies still seem keen to fulfill the scheduled fixtures and expect an outcome within the next 24-48 hours, but understandably, the state government is holding up that process.
Meanwhile, NZ Rugby is expected to suspend this week's National Provincial Championship, Farah Palmer Cup and Heartland Championship rounds, with the nation's lockdown now extended until at least Friday and beyond for Auckland.
