Brace yourself Bails, the "Big Show" is coming to town!

[Burgs]

Anyone looking to head to Hong Kong?
This might be the ultimate reason to take your significant other on a shopping holiday

Wallabies chasing game in Hong Kong

By Bret Harris
July 13, 2007

THE Australian Rugby Union is planning to stage an extra Test between Australia and New Zealand in Hong Kong at the end of next year to extend its reach into Asia.

While the match would be an official Test, it would not be part of the 2008 Bledisloe Cup or Tri-Nations series.

Australia already has an official accord with Japan while China is regarded as a sleeping giant of world rugby and offers a potentially lucrative market for merchandising.

The presence of the Wallabies and All Blacks in Hong Kong would also be a boost to the development of the game in China.

The ARU and the NZRU (New Zealand Rugby Union) originally envisaged playing the game on mainland China, but chose Hong Kong because of the popularity of rugby in the former British colony.

The annual Hong Kong Sevens tournament is one of the highlights of the international calendar.

"This has been explored for a couple of months," ARU head of public affairs and communications Brian West said.

"It's on the cards. There are some hurdles to overcome, in terms of getting the schedule right.

"We are also working through the workload on the players and those sorts of issues.

"The IRB (International Rugby Board) is keen to expand rugby in tier two nations and we (Australia and New Zealand) both want to expand in Asia, particularly China.

"Rugby is the game of choice of the People's Liberation Army, which has about 100,000 players.

"China is close to home. We've investigated it and we are working through it."

The match will be played at Hong Kong's National Stadium either immediately before or after Australia's tour of Europe in November next year.

The game's timing will depend on whether New Zealand adds an extra game to the All Blacks' European tour.

The All Blacks are playing England, Ireland and Wales, but it is understood they are also looking at playing Scotland and another European team.

At the moment the Wallabies are scheduled to play Ireland (Melbourne) and France (Sydney and Brisbane) next year before the Tri-Nations.

The Wallabies finish the year with Tests against England, France and Italy on their European tour.

[The EnForcer]

Now that is an InnForcers tour I would be interested in!

[The InnFORCEr]

Now that is an InnForcers tour I would be interested in!

As the current CEO of The InnFORCEers had to inform our RWC tourists, the key factor to an InnFORCEers Tour is The Force actually playing a game!

RWC does not qualify nor would HK 2008....

I ageee though, it would be some trip.

[JediKnight]

I agree with TEF that this would be a good InnForcers tour. TiF?

However I am concerned about the hypocrisy of the Unions involved....all this talk about player burnout & too many games......and then they voluntarily decide to play another game (certainly for the Wallabies, a match vs NZ would be the hardest physical test for them) to raise additional awareness & commercialism in Asia!!!!! I'm sure the players will be thrilled.

[Burgs]

Although stated to be a "Test" status fixture, I'm tipping it will/would be two very developmental Squads involved JK.
Bearing in mind that both countries, but especially NZ, are facing a massive exodous North and to retirement following the RWC, so many will not have been through the extended 07-08 season.

[The EnForcer]

OK maybe not an InnForcers tour then but a TWF rugby tour. Being a rugby tour usual rules apply, no women!

[Darren]

You mean Jedi has to stay home with the wives?

[The EnForcer]

You mean Jedi has to stay home with the wives?

Based on his strike rate, I think they will be safe.

[JediKnight]

Based on his strike rate, I think they will be safe.

[Em-Forcer]

Being a rugby tour usual rules apply, no women!

Grrrrr... wish I was a bloke

Guess I'll just have to come back as one next time.

(Not that I could have made it to this tour anyway, but that's not the point! )

[JediKnight]

Grrrrr... wish I was a bloke

Guess I'll just have to come back as one next time.

(Not that I could have made it to this tour anyway, but that's not the point! )

Maybe a trip to Thailand on the way over could help.......(can they do it the opposite way?!!!!)

[Thequeerone]

Hmm still think this is a rouse - Burgs is still looking for a PS3 duty free

[The EnForcer]

Hmm still think this is a rouse - Burgs is still looking for a PS3 duty free

What, the no women on tour or the actual match itself?

[Em-Forcer]

Maybe a trip to Thailand on the way over could help.......(can they do it the opposite way?!!!!)

Hmmm - maybe not! Think I'll just petition for honourary status. Cheaper and less painful!

[Mtbeaver]

You gotta love Hong Kong.

They are passionate about their rugby.

On our HK tour we had three games.

The first game was against a club U16 team. We won this game by 2 points.

The next game we played was against the Hong Kong U16 team.

They had been to our previous game and had realised our forward pack was what won it for us. Not wanting to ruin their un-defeated every season, from their selection squad picked the biggest, ugliest forwards you'll ever meet.

They then proceeded to beat us 80 - 0.

But we put up a good fight... I think.