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What is on the menu? Yep, same old, same old Tests with coaches continually talking about building for the next Rugby World Cup.
Northern hemisphere sides fielding their second or third XVs; John O’Neill threatening them with who knows what and the same old, same old happens again.
Argentina will add a new dimension to a somewhat tired Tri Nations format. And there is always the Bledisloe Cup – which is, for this Australian, the only trophy that holds true value.
For me, it is time to spice proceedings up and introduce Southern Hemisphere XV vs a Northern Hemisphere XV, playing off for the Rugby Sphere Trophy, which could be held each year between Rugby World Cups.
The best players from each hemisphere to be selected to represent their spheres.
This would add a great deal of interest to each season – who gets selected, who coaches which side, is it basketball rugby versus stodge and glug rugby and so on.
It would be a promoters, merchandisers, and television bonanza. Major stadiums with greater than 80,000-seat capacity would bid for each game, with the spheres alternating in the hosting of games.
Sphere-bragging rights would be seriously up for grabs.
Imagine watching a side like this: Beale, O’Connor, Fouries, Nonu, Jane, Carter, Genia, Read, McCaw (C), Burger, Matfield, Thorn, Woodcock, Moore, J Du Plessis.
Reserves B Du Plessis, Steenkamp, Du Preez, Pocock, Horwell, Dagg, Ioane.
Coach Graham Henry, Assistant Coach Robbie Deans.
Perhaps one of our UK brethren could provide their Northern Hemisphere team.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.