Rarely does the money-hungry IRB overlook a ready cash-cow, but they have by not scheduling a Grand Slam every year.
It adds spice and meaning to the end of year tours by southern hemisphere nations New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. And Argentina must be included now they are in the Rugby Championship.
Since 1905-06 there have only been 26 Grand Slam tours against England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, with just nine Slams.
The Boks have won four (1912-13, 1931-32, 1951-52, and 1960-61), the All Blacks four (1978, 2005, 2008, and 2010), the Wallabies just one in 1984.
That’s small pickings from the Boks and All Blacks, having played nine Slams each, the Wallabies eight.
So instead of rare Slams, make it a feature every year with one southern hemisphere nation on duty.
The other three nations play against France and Italy that year, and two of the four Home Unions.
So there would be a four-year Slam cycle shared individually in turn by the All Blacks, Boks, Wallabies, and Pumas: a financial bonanza, and a huge interest factor among the rugby hungry fans of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.
And in the process, it would give added incentives to the Home Unions to improve their standards.
A win-win situation.
By the way, there has only been one Grand Slam tour in 26 where the touring nation has lost all four – the 1957-58 Wallabies.
Coached by Dave Cowper, and led by Bob Davidson, the side included Terry Curley, Rod Phelps, Jim Lenehan, straight out of St Ignatius, Arthur Summons, Kevin Ryan, John Thornett, Nick Shehadie, and Tony Miller.
But every international was closely fought, losing 9-3 to Wales, 9-6 to Ireland, 9-6 to England, and 12-8 to Scotland.
Which further undelines how difficult it is to win a Grand Slam when so many class Wallabies couldn’t win a game in 57-58,
So let’s have one every year.
chris
Guest
Every november I see the All Blacks playing against England amongst other SH teams touring the NH...it's quite a bore. Last time it was good was when the AB''s toured in 1997.
abnutta
Roar Guru
I like it. It's a no brainer really. No need to increase the number of matches already being played and it shares the "grand slam" tours evenly between the big 4 SH teams. On a side note... has anyone noticed the massive discrepancy between the hype created over a possible "grand slam" deciding match in the 6N versus that of the RC. I know which is the most difficult to achieve that's for sure.
Rugby Fan
Roar Guru
Blame me for that. I called him Gareth by mistake and put it into your head.
abnutta
Roar Guru
re: the 3rd Bledisloe test. Yes sheek. we really need it. Test Rugby is the cash cow by a long long way. The "coffers" are not that full at the moment... hence we have the diabolical situation unfolding across the tasman, where the purity of the Black jersey is once again being sacrificed for the almighty dollar.
abnutta
Roar Guru
That echoes the opinion of Alan Jones re: the Bledisloe Cup.
Bakkies
Guest
Ireland are only playing two AIs this year. The match against Fiji in Limerick is non capped.
Sid
Guest
Would like to see a Super Slam tour of Europe. England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy. Same goes with Grand Slams, but they should only be staged every 4 seasons and breaks of no tours over the Spring other people get bored of it.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Agree Mania. Money money money. Thats all that seems to count. Annother way to not go broke is by having a smaller and more reasonably paid administration. I would like to see the Bledisloe on the line every second year at the most. Just to restore the mystique. After a northern tour south, the RWC and EOY tours there are 14 tests pa. Thats 2 or 3 too many already. Bring back tours with mid-week games I say! Give the southern nations a rotation of an eight or ten week tour with 3 or 4 tests. Maybe a grand slam opertunity every 8-10 years each. We have to make a point of difference and you don't get that by becoming too familiar.
ibika
Guest
great idea.. are the ARU and sanzar onto this???
The Grafter
Guest
Scotland have a reasonable record, particularly in this part of the world.......
AndyS
Guest
The obvious question is what does it have to do with the IRB, and what money do they make from any tour?
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
I meant to write Gethin Jenkins above, not Gareth. Toulon have confirmed he will not be released for the Welsh Test against the Wallabies on December 1 _ Toulon are playing Grenoble in the Top 14 that day. Private owners such as Toulon's Mourad Boudjellal are very touchy about releasing players for matches outside the official window, including Lions tour matches. Club competitions such as the Top 14 are where the real money lies. Suggestions of scrapping windows and forcing clubs to hand over their players at any time are fanciful.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Atawhai Drive, It is not due to the IRB, but rather due to the fact that their Unions control their domestic competition and schedule it so that a four (4) week break is taken during November for the Tests. The Celtic Unions are much better and working with their clubs to have their national teams available. But yes, you are right, the release window is only three (3) weeks I believe. EDIT: Which is why the Celts prefer their players to be playing domestically, so they can use them in the national team more effectively.
Morfs
Guest
Now that's a game I would like to see. Only one question: Would both AB sides perform the haka at the same time, or take it in turns?
Dasher
Roar Guru
I'd like the reverse happen and to see NH teams coming down under to atttempt a "Southern" Grand Slam once in a while. Sure the logistics might be harder, but it might get local audiences a little more engaged. It could also mean Australia hosts three different NH teams, instead of playing the same team three times.
The Grafter
Guest
Nice final line (and appropriate user name Frisky). I guess that what makes Lions tours so special.
garth
Guest
That is why test windows are a daft idea. The game is global, someone's club season is always going to clash with anothers test season, especially with world cup qualifiers to be played. Clubs, esp. French ones, should be told to suck it up, get over it and release foreign players for test duties when required.
frisky
Guest
The northern (Grand Slam) tours are very different from 40-100 years ago. In the old days games were played against almost all the provincial sides. The tours took 2-3 months and there were midweek games against the weaker sides. The AB dropped one mid-week game in Ireland (Munster?) that is still celebrated by the Irish. They have even made a popular play about it. As kid, I used to avidly follow all 20-30 game results. Todays tours have a very different flavour to them today. They are quickies. Like sex, taking your time adds layers of pleasure.
The Grafter
Guest
Frustrating isnt it Chris........................:)
Chris
Guest
FFS: a) David is proposing that one nation tour every year over a four (more likely 5 due to the RWC) year cycle. Not the Wallabies every year. b) There wouldn't be any more rugby as the Southern hemisphere sides usually play 3 or 4 tests each November anyway.