By Jim Morton
October 25th 2008 @ 12:53am
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Wallabies agree to forgive French
The Wallabies have agreed to host France in a one-off Test next year after receiving an iron-clad guarantee that Les Bleus will field a full-strength line-up this time around.
The two-Test series in Australia this winter threatened to degenerate into farce after the French arrived with just one player who featured in their 2007 Rugby World Cup semi-final loss to England.
Most of France’s frontline players were still involved in their domestic Top 14 competition but, after receiving an assurance that there will be no repeat of the mass no-show, ARU chief John O’Neill agreed to add Les Bleus to a bumper 2009 program of home Tests for the Wallabies.
The Wallabies’ domestic schedule also includes two Tests against Italy and the annual Tri-Nations matches against the Springboks and All Blacks.
The Wallabies will open their 2009 international campaign with Tests against Italy in Canberra on June 13 and Melbourne on June 20 before tackling the French at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium the following Saturday.
“There are some exciting elements to next year’s program and a guarantee from the French that they will head to Australia with a full complement of drawcard players is a breakthrough for rugby fans to savour,” O’Neill said today.
“There is no point trying to sugar coat the reality; northern hemisphere countries have not helped us in our domestic market in recent seasons by sending touring teams that have clearly been under-strength.
“That will not be the case in 2009.
“We have a cast-iron promise from the French that they will be bringing their best team out, and that means we can all expect a thrilling Test in Sydney.
“Italy will be bringing their best for the first two Tests and then come the French, who have consistently been one of the strongest teams in the world over a long period of time.
“When they are in full flow, there are few national teams that can match the French for flair.
“We look forward to their visit with confidence; the Sydney Test should be a gripping spectacle.
“It is the way international rugby should be showcased to the world, with both teams prepared to protect the integrity of Test rugby and ensure the contest is best against the best.”
Canberra Stadium will host the opening international of the season when the Wallabies play in the national capital for the first time since beating Argentina 32-25 in 2000.
“Taking a Wallabies Test back to Canberra for the first time since 2000 means we are deliberately reaching out to our fans in what is a heartland region for the game,” O’Neill said.
The Wallabies will also embark on a six-match Tri-Nations campaign against New Zealand and South Africa and open their quest for a first title since 2001 against the All Blacks in Auckland on July 18.
The Wallabies leave on Monday for Saturday week’s historic Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks in Hong Kong before embarking on a five-match Spring Tour of Europe.
The Wallabies’ 2009 domestic-season Test program is:
v Italy, Canberra Stadium, Canberra, June 13
v Italy, Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, June 20
v France, ANZ Stadium, Sydney, June 27
v New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland, July 18
v South Africa, Newlands Stadium, Cape Town, August 8
v New Zealand, ANZ Stadium, Sydney, August 22
v South Africa, Subiaco Oval, Perth, August 29
v South Africa, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, September 5
v New Zealand, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, September 19
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Benjamin said | October 26th 2008 @ 12:25am | Report comment
“There is no point trying to sugar coat the reality; northern hemisphere countries have not helped us in our domestic market in recent seasons by sending touring teams that have clearly been under-strength.”
This man irks me to the point of nausea. Firstly it is only the French who have brought an under-strength side to Australia in recent years. Ireland, England and Wales have all brought their first string teams - injuries permitting. Secondly O’Neill has always been aware of the length of the NH seasons prior to the contractual agreements. Thirdly Australia have an obligation to spread the global game so why don’t the Wallabies tour Romania, Georgia, Italy or Asia? This nonsensical hyperbole is typical dross and yet sadly is nowhere near as bad as his biblical-esque ELV tub-thumping. How can anybody in the NH take Australian rugby seriously or respect it when this cartoon character is in charge?
oposasa said | October 26th 2008 @ 11:46am | Report comment
I agree with Benjamin. The rugby unions are all talk.
Actually I’m not too bothered if France send a full strength team or not, I’m not going to Homebush whover the Wallabies play out there. Why NH teams come all the way here with 35 man squads and can’t manage to play anything but test mataches… could France or Italy squeeze in a game against NSW at SFS mid week? I’d pay to see that!
IMO the dwindling interest in test rugby has nothing to do with understrength NH teams. The problem is the Tri nations. The same extended tournament year on year is dull. Do we have to have the same tournament every single year? I’m all for Benjamin’s suggestions… there are so many other nations the Wallabies could play or tour that give us more rugby to watch and invigorate test rugby.
Benjamin said | October 26th 2008 @ 11:45pm | Report comment
Oposasa, you raise a very good point that has eiter been ignored or missed. O’Neill has undermined the growth of Australian rugby by working from the top-down and not vice versa. Why can’t/don’t touring teams actually play Australian provinces or territories? This is applicable to all tours and it was nice to see Australia play the Ospreys and it will be nice to see NZ play Munster.
True Tah said | October 27th 2008 @ 7:09am | Report comment
Benjamin,
agree the Wallabies should be doing their part to spread the game, which we are not doing (and neither are the All Blacks or Springboks in all reality). We did play against Spain a few years ago in Spain….the English and the French have done a lot more for the spread of the game than the southerners.
JohnB said | October 27th 2008 @ 2:29pm | Report comment
I think O’Neill might say that “injuries permitting” has been pretty broadly interpreted for a lot of the teams sent here and to NZ in recent years.
Benjamin said | October 27th 2008 @ 9:27pm | Report comment
Well actually John I looked over some old match reports last weekend and England and Ireland have always sent their best teams on tour. Wales and Scotland have to an extent as well. France have persistently brought younger and more inexperienced teams, however.