As members of egg chasing’s biggest sports organisation the IRB, the ARU find themselves in a unique position of having ample opponents to choose from for the international calendar.
They are to be applauded for bringing back three Test series, including their three Test winter against the Welsh in 2012 and continuing that with a three Test series against France this year.
Following an almighty Ashes series and a heavy defeat in the final Lions tour match in 2013, England would have been my choice this year, but hey, I will take a series against the unpredictable Tri-colours.
By eliminating the boring and meaningless winter internationals of years pre-2012, the ARU find themselves in the unlikely position of bringing the validity of the Rugby Championship into question, as well as the third Bledisloe match.
Six fixtures against three opponents home and away, with the first two against the almighty and unstoppable All Blacks. Talk about a series ended before it’s even started!
I just can’t stand to watch the Wallabies lose to the All Blacks three times a year and turn out twice each against the Springboks and Pumas – it is repetitive, stale and not even Argentina’s long-overdue addition to the Tri-Nations teams in 2012 has me fulfilled.
Rather than watch the procession that is the Rugby Championship in its current state, I propose the competition includes Fiji, Samoa and Tonga for a seven team round robin league called the – ahem – Seven Nations (call it what you will, I don’t care).
This seven nation format would fully complement a meaningful three Test series against a different European nation every year.
The tradition of pitting your best against that of a Euro counterpart in three Tests is brilliant and a marketing dream. A seven nation event would ensure each Test is meaningful.
The number of opponents would ensure less repetition. Less repetition against other nations would support the annual three Test Bledisloe series. Furthermore the various standards of the nations would add intrigue and subplots to weekly rounds.
Congratulations to the ARU for getting the winter series right. Stick with it it will pay off.
Now it’s time to convince the other Rugby Championship nations to take the bold step of improving the league by diluting the competition with three very competitive neighbours.
scrumpoacher
Guest
I always thought a tournament in between RWC's would be a great way to get more exposure for the tier 2 nations. That said I believe the Samoans should get to play in a yearly competition against AB's SA and us. May alternate with the argies as a compromise?
AWCMONREF
Guest
AWSHUCKS you guys your posts are freakin hilarious, your starting to outdo the editor , sitting here LMAO :)
AWCMONREF
Guest
:)
Edward Pye
Roar Guru
Some people mentioned the financial loss of a tournament like this, but unions wouldn't actually lose that much at all and the benefits completely outweigh the loss. It's great to think that the top 4 SH teams might play in the Islands, but realistically, they would have to be based in Aus & NZ. Just getting them into the tournie would be a giant first step. Island teams will consistently sell out big stadiums in Aus and NZ (particularly Auckland and Sydney) so they wouldn't be a drop in revenue there. The 6 games of this tournament would be 1 short of the current 7 (for NZ/Aus) which could be made up with additional Bledisloes or leave it at that and take the workload off the players. New interest, advancing lower tier teams, and less travel would be the big advantages there. You could also tie that comp in with the November tour as well and make it a 2 year knock out tournie between Southern and Northern Hemisphere comps.
ozinsa
Guest
We have lost to Samoa recently and the Boks have been pushed by them twice in two different RWC. I really like the idea of a four year cycle running opposite the RWC. Something different and interesting.
Merflame
Guest
But then a team like Canterbury would dominate again... Unless Auckland can stop the NRL poachers. Then Auckland would dominate. Aussie teams would be crushed. SA teams would put up a little fight.
Merflame
Guest
When Australia gets relegated no doubt.
Merflame
Guest
Maybe they should just let NZ keep the Bledisloe and have a new big three game Cup between NZ and SA instead. Be a closer comp and a better rivalry. Maybe they should just Combine Aus and SA into one team, then it will be an even better rivalry, NZ can have some Argies in the team (aka props).
Merflame
Guest
Samoa is just the NZ D team. You have the All Blacks then the never to be used JNR All Blacks (B team), then the Maori team, and Samoa is the fourth team unofficially, because most of their players are from NZ.
alex
Guest
was quite confused with this article had to read it twice, on the playing the darkness 3 times part, do you realise that if you cut it down to just 2 games against the darnkess Australia will never see the bledisloe cup ever again, you guys would have to beat us twice i dont think thats gonna happen in a while, playing 3 gives you guys a chance. Australia is in no position to dictate anything. The 7 nations idea is just stupid, there is too much saturation already, why add to it... For those Australians who think the wallabies are new zealands arch-rival think again Bokk are and always will be our old foe, our arch rival our sternest test our litimus test.... Bledisloe is so important coz we like beating ya's its even better now coz we get to beat you 3 times a year instead of twice
jonty
Guest
Of course the Aussies will call it boring because they suck they always lose maybe there team should starting winning some games
jonty
Guest
What a stupid idea u Aussies should stick to league & AFL because u know nothing about rugby that's why u suck at it leave rugby to the big boys like NZ,SA,England etc. Go play international rules against Ireland hahaha what a joke of game that is
Buk
Guest
Actually, talking of poachers - we are the best poachers of all time - we poached the best from the UK via convict ships.
Buk
Guest
Yeah its the money that rules how things are done - thus all the extra Bledisloes we have had over the years, and PI nations getting very few games
soapit
Guest
sounds good to me, the sameyness of the rugby calendar really dampens enthusiasm and the structure of the rc exacerbates this.
Harry Jones
Guest
Sounds great! A knockout competition between top 8 teams two years after WC. I'll support that.
Sports Prophet
Roar Pro
The ARU have every right to offer any nation they want a three test series on home soil. Pick and choose is exactly what they do, providing the opposition accept. No doubt a backhander payment to the visiting national union is a sweetener. A seven nation tournament complements a three test series quite simply by the variance in fixtures. A three test series against an opponent they rarely compete against followed by a series of six matches against six different opponents. No return legs, no second chances. You play the opposition once and then move onto the next challenge in the tournament to accrue vital competition points. The tournament could be preceded by the first Bledisloe Cup match with the second match in the seven nations tournament the decider in a two match series. A third match at the conclusion of the tournament can take place if required but not a necessity in my opinion.
Sports Prophet
Roar Pro
Justin, the European season doesn't clash with the RC. Euro based players would be available.
dcnz
Guest
I reckon get the IRB and SANZAR to throw together a bucket of money and let Manu Samoa into the RC. They would get crowds in LATAM, South Africa, New Zealand and Brisbane. New stars would be found and developed. Do it for Fats! Uce!
Harry Jones
Guest
The best playing the best is the best. If we want to play Samoa, all we have to do is go to the WC. They're in our pool every time. And it's never a genteel experience.