Marshall’s Anzac tour is a good idea, but let’s think bigger
Roar Pro By Chop, 4 Jun 2009 Chop is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- ANZAC rugby, currie cup, Justin Marshall, robbie deans, Rugby Union
While playing for the Barbarians this week, Justin Marshall has outlined his thoughts about an Anzac equivalent of a British Islands tour. Robbie Deans supported the concept and added the potential of adding South Africa to the mix.
Personally, given how precious South Africa are regarding the Currie Cup and the pile of existing international matches, I would be okay with leaving them out.
I agree with Justin Marshall that there would be considerable interest in a team of this variety heading up to play the Northern Hemisphere teams.
However, I would like to see a Southern Hemisphere equivalent of the British Lions, which includes Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Japan.
There would be considerable commercial value for all nations involved in the tours and I think the players would really enjoy it as another step up and reward for excellence.
The only issue would be timing.
With Australia and New Zealand doing spring tours to the Northern Hemisphere, where would these games fit in?
If it could squeeze into the international rugby calendar, what a sensational event it would be.
Recommend this story.
- Explore:
- ANZAC rugby, currie cup, Justin Marshall, robbie deans, Rugby Union
June 4th 2009 @ 3:41pm
Brett McKay said | June 4th 2009 @ 3:41pm | Report comment
Fear not Melon, agreeing with me isn’t dangerous, generally. Maybe it just means we’re both wrong
I was going to suggest that if you’re worried about agreeing too much though, you could join the chorus of dissenters today to my thoughts on a positional shift for one S.Mortlock, but I see you’re not in total disagreement there either!!
June 4th 2009 @ 10:35pm
Rusty Beef said | June 4th 2009 @ 10:35pm | Report comment
I would absolutely love to see an ANZAC team giving it to the mother country. Bring us back to the days of yore and put a bit of grunt and poke back into rugby. While we’re at it, couldn’t we organise a game against the hun, the nip and the azzuri (did we call them that back then??)? Boy, I’m licking my lips.
June 5th 2009 @ 2:29pm
Viscount Crouchback said | June 5th 2009 @ 2:29pm | Report comment
An Empire team would be interesting, but they’d probably be too good for the opposition (French, Argies, Italians, Afrikaners).
June 6th 2009 @ 12:10am
pothale said | June 6th 2009 @ 12:10am | Report comment
“But the beauty of the British and Irish lions is the history of their unity… The English, Irish, Scots and Welsh may venomously deny it, but they have a long and intertwined history as British people.”
I’m not sure you’ll find everyone in agreement with that statement. The fact that the name was belatedly changed to British and Irish Lions to reflect the separate national identities is an indicator of that.
By the way, does anyone have quotes of what Marshall actually proposed? I thought he had proposed a team only made up of former All-blacks and ex-pats i.e. a team only made of New Zealanders. Or is that the same thing as Australians since NZ have a long and intertwined history as Australian people.