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Opinion
Once again rugby union was absent on a major sporting day in Australia and New Zealand.
Anzac Day was not only void of any rugby matches, it fell on a bye round where half the Aussie teams had the week off.
It’s enough to send the Rugby Australia marketing pigeon into a frenzy.
Given the Trans-Tasman relationship that binds Super Rugby Pacific, it is awfully ironic that nothing was done to commemorate arguably each nation’s proudest day.
This sparked a social media onslaught from former players to disappointed fans; many calling for an ANZAC Day Bledisloe Cup that would enshrine the famous rivalry on a day is associated with both parties.
@rugby_podcast @Pick_DriveRugby @Draftrugby
— Jason Sherman (@Jasonsherwood) April 25, 2023
Picture this Boyz.
Anzac Day Test. One Test Australia Vs New Zealand. In the ONLY Bledisloe Cup match. The ANZAC TEST!
Teams coming in cold, unprepared and undercooked, the only thing that matters is grit, determination & sacrifice.
Watching this Anzac league game..
— Drew Mitchell (@drew_mitchell) April 25, 2023
Surely Union need to do a one off ANZAC v British Irish Lions or World XV game at prime time.. Would fill 80 000 at Olympic park easily..
Every player would love it, every fan would love it..
Let’s make it happen!!
Anyone agree??
Make Bledisloe a one off game each year on/around ANZAC day. All on the line. TRC games would not count.
— Huw Tindall (@HuwTindall) April 25, 2023
This could well be the State of Origin-esque game RA have been in search of. A day that, in time, rugby could own.
But would it work?
For one it falls directly in the Super Rugby season, making it an awkward time for sides to break up into national squads.
But there has been some noise from the SMH that indicated RA were looking into playing Super Rugby from May to September, with Rugby Championship internationals falling earlier in the year. This was reportedly largely driven by World Rugby’s push for a global rugby calendar.
This would put the Anzac Day Bledisloe at the conclusion of this season. This means it could double-up as a Rugby Championship decider. Blockbuster written all over it.
Nic White of the Wallabies scuffles with Akira Ioane of the All Blacks (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
If some sort of deal for the above couldn’t be reached, it might just be the deal breaker.
Second order of business is what happens to the other Test? That Test might be simply for Rugby Championship purposes or maybe be ridden of all together if World Rugby persist with a more unified global calendar.
And surely NZ wouldn’t give Australia rights to the only Bledisloe Cup match? It would simply be alternated between countries, with timezones hardly causing an issue.
If these logistical problems can be resolved, an Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup showdown would be entirely possible and could provide Rugby the exposure it so desperately craves.
The game oozes cultural tradition while also building on one of rugby’s traditional rivalries. It would be the highlight of the local rugby calendar; an unmissable watch.
And, who knows, maybe one day rugby will have its own Anzac showcase.
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.