Yes! It’ll be a bumper season of great rugby in 2012
Columnist By Spiro Zavos, 9 Nov 2011 Spiro Zavos is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- ARU, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, The Rugby Championship, wallabies
123 Have your say
Australian rugby union player Ben Robinson, ARU chief executive John O'Neill and SANZAR CEO, Greg Peters. AAP Image/Paul Miller
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The cock-a-doodle-do announcement by the ARU yesterday unveiling rugby ‘latest jewel in the crown’ tournament, The Rugby Championship (The Castrol Edge Championship in ARU marketing), represents a giant step forward for the game in Australia.
At last, rugby in Australia has a schedule of attractive matches stretching from March through to December to sell to the television moguls, spectators at home and around the world, and to its players.
This schedule follows a coherent pattern which starts with the Super Rugby pool rounds.
Then there are the June Tests featuring a touring team from the northern hemisphere. In 2012, Scotland plays a Test against the Wallabies at Newcastle and Wales, arguably the most attractive side at RWC 2011, play their three Tests at Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney at the SFS.
The finals of the Super Rugby tournament come next.
Then we have Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina playing in a new four-nations home and away tournament, the splendidly named The Rugby Championship. In 2012, this new tournament starts in Australia with the mouth-watering prospect of the Wallabies playing the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium on August 18.
The Pumas will play their first Test of the tournament in Australia at the Gold Coast. The Springboks will play the Wallabies at Perth. The final matches of the tournament are the Pumas against the Wallabies, and the Springboks against the All Blacks in South Africa, on October 6.
One of the features of the scheduling for the Wallabies Tests is the way the ARU is taking rugby to new (the Gold Coast, Newcastle) Test venues. And to venues like Perth which is a developing rugby territory, and to the SFS, which has been a neglected venue for rugby Tests in Sydney.
There will be third Bledisloe Cup Test played next year, as well, on October 20 at Brisbane.
In November, the Wallabies go on their northern hemisphere tour.
If I had to nominate one rugby official to applaud for this splendid list of rugby matches, that official would be the chief executive of the ARU, John O’Neill.
In 1996 when Super Rugby began, it was a 12-team tournament. Australia had three teams, South Africa four and New Zealand five in the tournament.
O’Neill has pushed relentlessly for each of the SANZAR partners to have five teams.
There was stiff opposition to Australia having five Super Rugby teams, both in Australia and in South Africa. But O’Neill pressed forward with his vision.
Once the 15-team regime was achieved, O’Neill then pushed hard for a more rational and appealing schedule for the tournament. The South Africans were reluctant to extend the playing time of the tournament into their Currie Cup schedules.
So it was agreed that the pool round was a 12-match schedule for each of the teams.
But this concession allowed for the scheduling that O’Neill wanted, with second pool round of matches where the five local teams play each other. This scheduling greatly increased the number of local matches, which is a bonus for the local spectators and broadcasters.
This second local pool round is followed by a final series of the top six teams, with each nation having at least one team in the finals series.
These changes have greatly enhanced the Super Rugby competition. We saw last season with the Reds that the tournament becomes a more open event with these changes.
Similarly, with the four-nations tournament, O’Neill has kept the third Bledisloe Cup Test while allowing a third Test against the Springboks to go. This makes sense for all concerned. The South Africans are more interested in their Currie Cup tournament towards the end of their rugby season.
The Bledisloe Cup Tests are rugby union’s equivalent of rugby league’s State of Origin series.
The three match format provides a thrilling sequence that gives the non-holder of the title a good chance of winning the trophy each year, particularly when the team plays two of the matches on home grounds.
There is one other advantage for Australian rugby and, indeed, for southern hemisphere rugby from the new schedule of matches, and that is that it provides two terrific tournaments for the players to get used to playing intense, competitive and, hopefully winning rugby throughout a season.
The southern hemisphere teams have won all but one Rugby World Cup tournament. As O’Neill pointed out in a media statement anouncing the 2012 schedulec: “The All Blacks are the number 1 side in the world, the Wallabies are number 2, the Springboks are number 4 and the Pumas are number 7 … the status of this event will be fitting of the moniker The Rugby Championship.”
Bring on the 2012 rugby season!
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- ARU, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, The Rugby Championship, wallabies
November 9th 2011 @ 7:03am
Eamonn said | November 9th 2011 @ 7:03am | Report comment
Spiros how are the Wallabies Number 2 in the World? O’Neill said it – and you printed it:)
We didn’t make the final this time or last time – so couldn’t you argue that the French at least are ahead of the Wallabies. On recent form maybe the Welsh as well.
Seemed to me the French pushed the All Blacks far harder in the last two World Cups – including the recent one – than the Wallabies did. But if you guys think we are Number 2 – well that’s the same media baloney that simply assumed Australia would beat the Irish and would be in the final v the All Blacks despite the other entrants. Aussie Rugby media is pretty blinkered – the run up to the World Cup proved that!
That said looks like a solid schedule for the year – the glaring weakness is the S15 break for meaningless friendlies v Northen Hemisphere teams. Don’t think the Internationals v Scotland and Wales in the middle of the season will continue to atttract good crowds. Given the increasing intense schedules for players from Northen Hemisphere teams coming out will be coming with lesser teams and on a holiday. In the new professional era touring tests are now friendly status in eyes of fans and players – might survive for a year or so and don’t be surprised if S15 teams pull their Aussies out to recover and repair for the more meaningful S15 final series.
November 9th 2011 @ 7:30am
Sambobly said | November 9th 2011 @ 7:30am | Report comment
Eamonn, the Wallabies are Number 2 in the world as that is where they are ranked by the IRB. Whether you agree or not is another point, but JON and Spiro are officially correct.
November 9th 2011 @ 7:46am
Jerry said | November 9th 2011 @ 7:46am | Report comment
The Wallabies did actually beat the All Blacks this year, unlike the French.
November 9th 2011 @ 9:11am
King of the Gorgonites said | November 9th 2011 @ 9:11am | Report comment
Like at the IRB rankings………
November 9th 2011 @ 9:55am
Stripes said | November 9th 2011 @ 9:55am | Report comment
The french despite there (one and only) strong showing in the RWC final still lost 3 games at the RWC, i dont see how they are in front of us. Wales despite all the gutso and speed they played with, really only had one impressive showing against Ireland, they still lost to SA, France (although maybe they didnt deserve to) and guess who else, AUSTRALIA. So i dont get the ‘welsh are better on previous form’ comment.
We on the other hand, have a super rugby title, Won the tri nations, beat South Africa 3 times this year, and New Zealand (1 of 2 teams that have this year). That loss to Ireland is our biggest black spot, because on the other hand we were beaten by the eventual champions New Zealand in New Zealand, so enough of all the doom and gloom, 3rds not too bad and we didnt actually get to play France who id sure back us to win. Not that we shouldn’t strive for improvement, but give the wallas some respect.
There are alot more international teams who would rather be in Australias position than not.
November 9th 2011 @ 10:01am
Mike said | November 9th 2011 @ 10:01am | Report comment
Yeah, those scurvy Welsh have never won a 3N!!!!
November 9th 2011 @ 2:02pm
Stripes said | November 9th 2011 @ 2:02pm | Report comment
Or a six nations recently.
Good to see you got the point.
November 10th 2011 @ 4:20am
Geoff Brisbane now California said | November 10th 2011 @ 4:20am | Report comment
Samoa???
November 9th 2011 @ 7:21am
onor said | November 9th 2011 @ 7:21am | Report comment
Im not sure about oz.. but here in NZ the june tests against Ireland will be sure to sell out within minutes of
going on sale.. I dont think S.A will have a problem selling out their june tests against england. I dont think
Australia will have a problem either.. I think SAnzar now have a very good platform to work with. The last
few years with super 12 and its inception has had many issues.. Good on John oneill.. but also good on
SANZAR.. its combined agreements.. I have heard Super rugby is still looking to expand.. A gold coast team
another S.A team and a team from the Taranaki!! Before that I think they should somehow make it a 20
team competition 5 from nz. 5 from oz. 5 from S.A and 5 from Argentina. how? I dont know.
November 9th 2011 @ 8:54am
Mike said | November 9th 2011 @ 8:54am | Report comment
I think you are fortunate getting Ireland, as we are with Wales. The Irish are tough competitors so it shouldn’t be a walkover, even for the ABs. Great stuff.
November 9th 2011 @ 9:12am
King of the Gorgonites said | November 9th 2011 @ 9:12am | Report comment
NZ didnt sell out Wellington last time the Irish were in town. I think AB supporters will become complacent and stop attending games.
November 9th 2011 @ 10:30am
Bakkies said | November 9th 2011 @ 10:30am | Report comment
Australia doesn’t need another Super Rugby team particularly one that is close to a team that has over 100 years of history. It will dilute Australian rugby.
November 9th 2011 @ 11:01am
mitzter said | November 9th 2011 @ 11:01am | Report comment
Not a chance in hell that a 6th team would be located on the gold coast
November 9th 2011 @ 4:26pm
Jay said | November 9th 2011 @ 4:26pm | Report comment
Western Sydney would be a great location for a team… but again same argument with the tahs being there as for a GC team with the reds.
November 10th 2011 @ 10:19am
Bakkies said | November 10th 2011 @ 10:19am | Report comment
Both will be a fish in a pond. Rugby is not big either areas and I don’t see the sense in putting teams there because other sports are. Leave the code wars to the NRL and AFL, Rugby doesn’t have money to waste.
November 9th 2011 @ 7:34am
redhead said | November 9th 2011 @ 7:34am | Report comment
Its a fantastic looking itinerary – repositioning the sevens to the Goldy was a brilliiant move too – well done to JON and the ARU.
All we need now is for Quade, Kurtley, JOC and Digby to really fire. Go the boys in gold !!
November 9th 2011 @ 7:39am
SA said | November 9th 2011 @ 7:39am | Report comment
I like the new name, players are playing for the “The Championship” has a good ring
November 9th 2011 @ 7:57am
Pot Hale said | November 9th 2011 @ 7:57am | Report comment
Same as NH teams who play for The Six Nations Rugby Championship.
I suspect this new name will not last – too generic and will have ongoing problems in internet-related searches/adwords/link-ups.
November 9th 2011 @ 9:12am
Shulzi said | November 9th 2011 @ 9:12am | Report comment
I personally think that if they want Championship in there, just add in a Southern so its either the “Southern Rugby Championship” or “Southern Championship” to give it scope for growth
November 9th 2011 @ 10:44am
p.Tah said | November 9th 2011 @ 10:44am | Report comment
What happens if Japan or the US are included?
November 9th 2011 @ 11:13am
thurl said | November 9th 2011 @ 11:13am | Report comment
The it could be called “The Other 6 Nations”….
November 9th 2011 @ 1:03pm
mitzter said | November 9th 2011 @ 1:03pm | Report comment
Don’t see that happening for a decade or more – they can rebrand it then
November 9th 2011 @ 7:27pm
p.Tah said | November 9th 2011 @ 7:27pm | Report comment
This avoids us having to change the name every 5 or so years. We don’t want to keep re-educating the non core rugby audience.
November 9th 2011 @ 7:51am
Darwin Stubby said | November 9th 2011 @ 7:51am | Report comment
We seem very quick to push the hype button in Aust re rugby and that obviously has a lot to do with the competition from the other codes …..
Wales were good – but arguably the most attractive ? – not in the games I watched … They should provide good opposition though – but surely a big question mark over the timing of these internationals and how the flow of SR is now stilted needs a comment – I’ve a feeling there could be a massive drop off in interest – as we have been brought up on a natural progression into the international season
SR last year wasn’t an overall high quality competition and it seems SANZAR really can’t be bothered to address some glaring flaws – none more so than the poorly constructed and warped finals series … It clear this competition is nothing but a revenue raiser I just hope that both NZ and SA continue to protect their domestic competitions at the end of this latest cycle
November 9th 2011 @ 9:13am
King of the Gorgonites said | November 9th 2011 @ 9:13am | Report comment
Did you watch Wales v RSA, Wales v Fiji, Wales v Ireland?
November 9th 2011 @ 9:25am
Mike said | November 9th 2011 @ 9:25am | Report comment
I agree KOG. Wales were not only good but also attractive. I think Australia has done very well with its 2012 test schedule.
November 9th 2011 @ 7:25pm
Darwin Stubby said | November 9th 2011 @ 7:25pm | Report comment
Eh – yes … I wouldn’t have made that statement if I hadn’t
November 9th 2011 @ 7:59am
formeropenside said | November 9th 2011 @ 7:59am | Report comment
Playing the Boks in Perth is always stupid, and here we are doing it again! Better to play Wales in Perth, if you must play Tests there, and the Boks in Melbourne (again, assuming you must play Tests there).
November 9th 2011 @ 8:16am
Gavin Norman said | November 9th 2011 @ 8:16am | Report comment
And your proposed alternative is?
Play all tests in Sydney & Brisbane?
November 9th 2011 @ 8:52am
Mike said | November 9th 2011 @ 8:52am | Report comment
Its a fair bit further for Boks to travel, don’t you think? Probably fairer on them to hold it in Perth.
And Wales is a pretty exciting prospect these days.
November 9th 2011 @ 9:14am
thurl said | November 9th 2011 @ 9:14am | Report comment
Thats FOS’s point. The Boks have a big advantage playing in Perth. Its almost a home game for them given the number of Saffas there
November 9th 2011 @ 10:05am
rl said | November 9th 2011 @ 10:05am | Report comment
I’ve attended SAF matches in Perth and the atmosphere is great – I’m all for it continuing. Plus it’s in our best interests to keep the expat Saffas in Perth happy – based on recent form we need their kids to eventually turn out playing in the front row for the Wobblies!!
November 10th 2011 @ 1:25pm
Suzy Poison said | November 10th 2011 @ 1:25pm | Report comment
Good Point RL. A certain Perth born lad with a South African mother (and Kiwi dad) actually kicked South Africa out of the 2011 World Cup, if you remember. Yep James O’ Conner, hero or villian depending on which side of the Indian Ocean you come from.
But as a Saffa, I do fancy our chances in Perth, the Boks have had by far thier best results in Oz, in Perth. Brisbane is a graveyard for them.
As a Saffa I am looking forward to this year’s rugby, for many reasons.
1. Interesting to see how Jake White goes with the Brumbies.
2. We have you Aussies to thank for finally getting rid of “The clown”
3. Hopefully Boks can learn from the Reds and embrace some running rugby (but I won’t bet my house on it)
November 9th 2011 @ 12:07pm
Old Girl said | November 9th 2011 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
You cannot be serious. How many SAFFAS do you think live in Perth compared to Melboure. The game will be a sell out and the Boks will have a 50% home crowd.
You have to play games where people will watch them and that won’t happen in Melbourne.
Old Girl
November 9th 2011 @ 8:33am
Brett McKay said | November 9th 2011 @ 8:33am | Report comment
I know the Gold Coast is the hotbed of Australian sport currently, but why couldn’t that RC Test have been played in Canberra, where there is actually a Super Rugby side??
November 9th 2011 @ 9:15am
King of the Gorgonites said | November 9th 2011 @ 9:15am | Report comment
Canberra crowds to rugby test have been disappointing. it was the other year when only about 14K turned up to the fiji test.
Tests matches should be played in the day down there, but still, there crowds have been a bit disappointing. GC will likely sell out. i cant see bruce selling out for the same game.
November 9th 2011 @ 9:29am
Brett McKay said | November 9th 2011 @ 9:29am | Report comment
That was because they were in the middle of winter!! For the Italy game it was -3C and Fiji it was worse!! A Sepetmeber evening game would do very well, but yes, an afternoon game would be better..
November 9th 2011 @ 10:51am
King of the Gorgonites said | November 9th 2011 @ 10:51am | Report comment
Depending on the success of Newcastle and GC i would think that at least one of these games would make it to canberra in 2013. Also, 2013 brings the Lions, so hopefully canberra gets a game. ACT v Lions would be good to watch.
With rugby sevens now on the GC, they already have one big event, so could easily lose their game and have it in the ACT instead.
I do have commend the ARU for taking Test rugby to different venues, unfornuately in 2012 its at the expense of Canberra.
November 9th 2011 @ 11:17am
Brett McKay said | November 9th 2011 @ 11:17am | Report comment
it’s a small consolation KotGs, but I am hearing that the Brumbies are in line to play a tour match against Wales next year, which is something, I suppose…
Gav Norman has hit the nail on the head below, I suspect that’s the real reason..
November 9th 2011 @ 10:39am
Wylie said | November 9th 2011 @ 10:39am | Report comment
22.5K to the match against Italy in sub-zero conditions is a pretty good effort considering Canberra’s population. If they ever gave us a decent test it would sell out.
November 9th 2011 @ 10:47am
Bakkies said | November 9th 2011 @ 10:47am | Report comment
Will need a proper size stadium to host one. 25,000 is not going to fill the ARU’s coffers.
November 9th 2011 @ 10:53am
Brett McKay said | November 9th 2011 @ 10:53am | Report comment
You say it yourself below Bakkies, the GC stadium is the same size. It would have been just reward for rugby in the ACT to hold a RC match against Argentina, but instead the ARU has blindly pitched itself into THAT turf war…
November 9th 2011 @ 12:09pm
Bakkies said | November 9th 2011 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
The recent apathy towards Rugby from ACT fans hasn’t helped it’s cause. The QLD Government must be underwriting any shortfall that the ARU has from hosting a test at Skilled Park. Plus it’s an insult to Argentina. The Irish have played tests in joke stadiums in NZ (New Plymouth, Nelson and now the temporary Loig Park in Christchurch next year) they are getting very little out of the vote they gave towards the NZRU’s bid to host the RWC.
November 9th 2011 @ 1:31pm
Brett McKay said | November 9th 2011 @ 1:31pm | Report comment
Bakkies, the recent apathy towards rugby from ACT PLAYERS hasn’t helped either!!
November 9th 2011 @ 10:32am
Bakkies said | November 9th 2011 @ 10:32am | Report comment
Canberra and the Gold Coast should not be hosting marquee four nations tests. The stadiums are too small and the ARU was whinging about losing money!
November 9th 2011 @ 10:56am
Gavin Norman said | November 9th 2011 @ 10:56am | Report comment
Because the QLD government splashed cash that’s why. These long term deals are rubbish.
You can rattle off the “but Queensland are Super Rugby champions” comment, they won’t be champions for 10 years consecutively.
November 9th 2011 @ 11:17am
Brett McKay said | November 9th 2011 @ 11:17am | Report comment
sad, but true Gav…
November 9th 2011 @ 8:49am
kingplaymaker said | November 9th 2011 @ 8:49am | Report comment
According to the planning logic, probably because there IS already a Super rugby side and so they Canberra is safe in rugby’s grasp: this wouldn’t of course explain choosing Perth as a destination.
November 9th 2011 @ 8:50am
kingplaymaker said | November 9th 2011 @ 8:50am | Report comment
In fact it’s silly that Gold Coast is considered the only market worth fighting over: what about South Australia, with almost four times the population?
November 9th 2011 @ 9:33am
Football United said | November 9th 2011 @ 9:33am | Report comment
rugby black hole – avoid at all costs
November 9th 2011 @ 10:18am
kingplaymaker said | November 9th 2011 @ 10:18am | Report comment
Adelaide is a rugby black hole? Why? A game can be grown in a new place anyway if done properly.
November 9th 2011 @ 12:40pm
p.Tah said | November 9th 2011 @ 12:40pm | Report comment
Ulupano Seuteni played most of his rugby in Adelaide (u12-u18) he is now in the Reds Extended palying squad at 18 years old. There is some talent in SA. It shouldn’t be completely overlooked. I think they should get a test. After the IRB 7s was taken from them it was hinted that SA would possibly get the Argies in the future… but they’d be in the queue behind the ACT imo.
November 9th 2011 @ 2:44pm
clipper said | November 9th 2011 @ 2:44pm | Report comment
Adelaide may go alright with the Rugby – they had 5 times the people watch the Aust/NZ Rugby as did the Aust/NZ league on the same day, and plenty watched the RWC final.
November 9th 2011 @ 10:46am
Bakkies said | November 9th 2011 @ 10:46am | Report comment
Gold Coast is a sporting black hole.
Loig has had 4 attempts at a NSWRL/ARL/NRL team (Giants, Seagulls, Chargers, Titans). Titans are losing money
Basketball on their second attempt with the Blaze.
AFL failed at Carrara with the Bears. Jury is out on the Suns and hosting an international rules match there was a bad idea.
Never hosted a proper international cricket match.
The local economy is faltering which will affect sporting attendances.
November 9th 2011 @ 10:51am
kingplaymaker said | November 9th 2011 @ 10:51am | Report comment
Bakkies the advantage rugby would have is that Gold Coast is a rugby heartland so where others failed because they were alien sports rugby might succeed.
Should Super rugby expand, Western Sydney would take the first team. Then it would be argued, unless Adelaide were thought important with its large population and to make the competition truly national, then another team in Queensland would be due. As there’s one already in Brisbane and Gold Coast is a rugby heartland with no team, then there would be an argument for having one there. Some however would say that Brisbane with a population four times that of the Gold Coast and neatly dividing in two could actually handle another team instead, and that this would allow rubgy to threaten the terrain of league.
November 9th 2011 @ 12:14pm
Bakkies said | November 9th 2011 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
Since when has Gold Coast been a Rugby heartland. It’s loig central and full of Victorian expats. The Gold Coast already have a team it’s called the QUEENSLAND Reds. The effect of the Rebels hasn’t really hit Australian rugby yet while they have an allocation of 10 imports. When that goes it could end up being Force mark 2.
November 9th 2011 @ 12:44pm
kingplaymaker said | November 9th 2011 @ 12:44pm | Report comment
Bakkies you’re forgetting the 16 NRL teams that can be joyously pillaged to man the Rebels.
Queensland needs more than one rugby team.
November 9th 2011 @ 12:46pm
p.Tah said | November 9th 2011 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
Bakkies, I think we’ll be OK (I think). The talent rising through the schoolboys ranks is quite impressive and it appears they are being nurtured quite well.
November 10th 2011 @ 10:53am
Bakkies said | November 10th 2011 @ 10:53am | Report comment
No it doesn’t need another pro team. Australian rugby has to prove that it have 5 competitive teams. At the moment it’s no happening. The Rebels didn’t lure as many players back from overseas as they had hoped plus there is talk of a salary cap. Playing suburban park rugby after Super Rugby is not enough to lure players back while they take salary cuts to return home. Macqueen was on record in saying that he didn’t want to use up all the overseas player spots but he had no choice in the end
November 9th 2011 @ 3:29pm
B.A said | November 9th 2011 @ 3:29pm | Report comment
Bakkis you forgot the A-League team who quite litterally failed to get 1000 people to a couple of home games last year!
Gold Coast is one of the most fragile economies in Australia with all the families who over capitalised in the area, nobody up there has disposable income to be going to any sporting contests.
November 9th 2011 @ 6:37pm
Ted Skinner said | November 9th 2011 @ 6:37pm | Report comment
BA I don’t think that is correct about the Gold Coast A-League team getting sub 1000 crowds.
Sure they have been getting the worst crowds in that league but the Australian Rugby Competition’s lowest crowds were always got by Gold Coast Aces.
The GC Aces hold the record of the lowest crowd ever at 780 in that competition.
BTW two years ago the Titans were getting an average of over 21,000. Last year the got the wooden spoon.
November 9th 2011 @ 6:44pm
Ted Skinner said | November 9th 2011 @ 6:44pm | Report comment
ARC Crowds:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Rugby_Championship
November 10th 2011 @ 11:00am
Bakkies said | November 10th 2011 @ 11:00am | Report comment
Yeah forgot about them too
November 9th 2011 @ 8:51am
Mike said | November 9th 2011 @ 8:51am | Report comment
“Similarly, with the four-nations tournament, O’Neill has kept the third Bledisloe Cup Test while allowing a third Test against the Springboks to go. This makes sense for all concerned. The South Africans are more interested in their Currie Cup tournament towards the end of their rugby season.”
That is great news. Its hard to get excited about Bledisloe when its only two matches (as opposed to each individual match between Oz and NZ, which hold as much meaning as they ever have). Three tests will really fire up the interest, especially if the third is a decider.
We see plenty of Boks every year anyway, so I am sure they will cope with not seeing us for a third match.
November 10th 2011 @ 4:31am
Geoff Brisbane now California said | November 10th 2011 @ 4:31am | Report comment
And probably too much of the All Blacks as well. Chances are like I said prior to Hong Kong game you play a side that often you have to win 1 at some stage so not bad strategy from JON to get a third match as again there has to be more of a chance to win.
November 10th 2011 @ 9:15am
Mike said | November 10th 2011 @ 9:15am | Report comment
Bledisloe has a long tradition, which matches vs the Boks don’t have. But its hard to get interested in a trophy where the incumbent only has to win one match out of the two. Making it three matches is likely to ignite a lot more interest from both players and the public.
And, tradition in the game is important. If the Bledisloe can be a genuine contest once again, that is a good thing for the game in both countries.