The Anglo-Australian sporting rivalry has once again dominated the sporting narrative in 2019.
Our Wallabies fell to England in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, while Aaron Finch’s men outclassed England in the group stage of the ODI World Cup before falling to the same side in the semi-final.
In September Tim Paine did what no Test captain since Steve Waugh had done by taking his re-energised Australian side to England and retaining the Ashes.
Australia and the Old Enemy have shared many great sporting battles over the centuries. England have had their fair share of major scalps, from the 2005 Ashes series to the 2003 Rugby World Cup victory following extra time in Sydney. In recent years the Kangaroos have dominated the Poms in rugby league Four Nations and World Cup tournaments, notably our 6-0 victory at Suncorp Stadium in the 2017 final.
(Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
While we have had a poor record recently in rugby union, defeating England at Twickenham to eliminate them from the 2015 World Cup before even the quarter-finals was a special moment.
So what better way to celebrate this sporting history and tradition than with a culmination of our major sports over one weekend featuring a multitude of men’s and women’s sports?
The Arthur Phillip Cup.
The vision for the Arthur Phillip Cup involves a series of sporting contests hosted in a single city over one huge weekend. The sports involved would include rugby union, rugby league, football, cricket, netball and hockey. Sydney should act as host city given all the sports are regularly played in the New South Wales capital.
The event would no doubt generate some significant publicity as Harry Kane, Owen Farrell, James Graham and Joe Root descend on Sydney to take on Aaron Mooy, Michael Hooper, Boyd Cordner and Steve Smith.
While they would no doubt be the stars of the event, the men’s hockey and all the women’s sports would receive additional publicity. In the last few years women’s sports have exploded in popularity and attention, and this event would only help that rise.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Arthur Phillip Cup proposed schedule
Friday
Women’s football – 5pm, ANZ Stadium
Men’s football – 7:30pm, ANZ Stadium
Saturday
Women’s hockey – 12pm, Olympic Park
Men’s hockey – 2pm, Olympic Park
Netball – 5pm, Qudos Bank Arena
Women’s rugby union – 5:30pm, ANZ Stadium
Men’s rugby union – 8pm, ANZ Stadium
Sunday
Women’s T20 cricket – 1pm, North Sydney Oval
Women’s rugby league – 1:30pm, Bankwest Stadium
Men’s rugby league – 4pm, Bankwest Stadium
Men’s T20 cricket – 6:30pm, Sydney Cricket Ground
Rugby league has traditionally been played on Sunday afternoons, so the Kangaroos and Jillaroos would be comfortable in Parramatta, traditional league heartland. The Wallabies have played the majority of their Test matches on Saturday nights since the dawn of professionalism, and an England match-up would draw a significant crowd worthy of ANZ Stadium, with the Wallaroos playing a curtain-raiser.
England have not played against the Socceroos in Australia since 1991, when 35,000 supporters filled the Sydney Football Stadium for a friendly. A Friday night double-header featuring the Socceroos and Matildas, who drew a record crowd of over 20,000 to their last home match at Bankwest Stadium, would go close to filling up ANZ Stadium.
Aaron Finch’s T20 side could play on Sunday night, a time they are no strangers to, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, potentially as part of a three-match series, while Meg Lanning and the women would fill North Sydney Oval for a T20 earlier in the day, particularly if it were part of an Ashes series.
What do you think, Roarers? Are you excited for a weekend of sporting rivalry?
Joey Francis
Roar Rookie
Thanks Beetle! The issue with basketball is England simply don’t play it enough. They’re ranked 41st in the world and rarely qualify for major tournaments. An ODI is an interesting idea, and having it on Thursday could extend the weekend well.
matth
Roar Guru
But FFA could probably do with the revenue, so it isn’t hurting anyone.
Nemesis
Guest
True. We already have at least one EPL club regularly making a pre-season trip to Australia each July to grab as much money from gullible Aussies selling merchandise & tickets to practice matches. Sounds like this Australia vs England might be a terrific idea for all other sports. But, having an EPL club playing an A-League combined team would devalue & diminish what would be occurring for the other sports, where it appears the rivalry might be worth pursuing.
matth
Roar Guru
I’m essentially agreeing with you Nemesis, the football part of this would be nothing more than an exhibition match, so why pretend by send the England reserves. Might as well send a club for their off season trip. There will be no super stakes here for any sport, it would an opportunity for Sports tourism. Nothing wrong with that of course.
Beetle
Roar Rookie
Yes! My god Yes. I have been advocating for this for ages how good would it be. Maybe throw Basketball in the mix and i feel cricket should be an ODI. I know that doesnt fit in well with the schedule but maybe have that on the Thursday night as a standalone event?? Definitely feel like Basketball should be included
Chud
Guest
Why is this on the league page??? I hate cricket...keep the cricket posts to the cricket page
Joey Francis
Roar Rookie
8 state of origins in a row** but I see your point, it would be hard to find calendar space
Joey Francis
Roar Rookie
What exactly does Tony Abbott have to do with it?
Punter
Roar Rookie
Andrew that was a friendly game & the previous one was also a friendly in 2003, 13 years apart.
Daz
Roar Rookie
What a stupid idea!
Punter
Roar Rookie
Let me address your last sentence first, not sure how much football you watch. The days of Kewell & Vidukas were the golden generation, they were the best we have ever had before or after. Bit like the cricket GG was the Waugh, McGrath, Warne, Gilchrist, Hayden & Ponting era or if you follow the RL, the Queensland SOO side that won 10 SOO in a row. It was mainly down to those 2 players Kewell & Viduka, they are easily the best 2 players (by a fair way) Australia has ever produced. There is not a great distance between today's players to the likes of Lucas Neill & the likes of that time. Playing non friendly games in Football are very difficult as both England & Australia has the WC & the WC qualifiers & both Euros & Asian cup respectively for England & Australia. The Socceroos has also been invited to the the Copa America, the Sth Americans championship, there is very little calendar left to play each other.
At work
Roar Rookie
As a pure pipe dream I reckon this would be an awesome weekend.
Joey Francis
Roar Rookie
I think it would be important for it not to be just one off matches. The men’s T20 could serve as part of a three-game series, the women’s as part of the Ashes. One off rugby tests are never seen as “friendly” matches, so I don’t think that would be a concern, while the womens football could be a part of a “Tournament of Nations” which we have hosted previously. The rugby league could be part of a three match series which the international board and the NRL are trying to make happen in the next few years. But perhaps a NZ tournament would be simpler.
Brian
Guest
Every 4 years would work, ok you wouldn't get the pros but you could add Athletics, Swimming and a whole lot of other sports no one watches. Maybe even invite other Commonwealth nations to improve the competition, oh wait
Nemesis
Guest
Never ever said I love sport. I love football. I'd expect a significant number of AFL, NRL & Rugby fans also cancel their Foxtel subscriptions during their preferred sport off-season, otherwise Foxtel wouldn't be spending money to keep subscribers during the offseason for those sports.
Phil
Guest
You must be great fun at parties!Of course something like this is very unlikely to ever come off,but at least give the author some credit for raising something a bit different.Cancelling Kayo because of the A-league off season probably says is it all about your love of sport.
mushi
Roar Guru
It’s cool as a gimmick but I think you’ll get a “Golf in the Olympics” type of interest as no one on either side is going to view it as towards the pinnacle of their sport and hence, probably a Marketing term in labelling it a rivalry. I think with things like this in a very saturated entertainment market you need to answer the question of “What gap does it fill”. It’s an intriguing concept but would it stop me doing what ever else I had on that weekend already? I think the comments about NZ might work better TBH. You’re going to struggle to get UK supporters to spend as much time on a plane as in the country for a weekend of slap and giggle competition and if you don’t get both fan bases engaged I think the atmosphere will be a little contrived.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Netball one sided? They've sneaked a couple of big comps in last few years. Sadly Union almost as one sided as soccer. England won 11 of last 13. :crying:
chris
Guest
What is this???
Dutski
Roar Guru
Love it! In my high school years my high school (Wellington High) played against Mudgee High in the Brown Cup. Twice a year - once in summer (swimming, cricket, tennis, basketball) and once in winter (league, soccer, hockey, athletics). I can't remember where debating went. It was the highlight of the school year. Same concept on an international level? Bring it!