Bring best or don't bother, says ARU

[Burgs]

Bring best or don't bother, says ARU

By Peter Jenkins
July 26, 2007

THE AUSTRALIAN Rugby Union has threatened to cancel a two-Test tour by France next year unless the European champion guarantees to send a full-strength squad.
ARU chief executive John O'Neill warned last night the invitation to France might be withdrawn and New Zealand invited to make a five-match visit that would include matches against New South Wales and Queensland in the Tri-Nations countdown.

"That is a genuine option," O'Neill said, who panned Wales and South Africa for bringing weakened sides to Australia this year.

"And we are struggling with France because their club competition, after the World Cup, has been moved back. The final is on June 28, the same day as one of the Tests against the Wallabies here. We were assured by the IRB that would not happen."

O'Neill said with the All Blacks playing two Bledisloe Cup Tests in Australia next year as part of the expanded three-round Tri-Nations series, they could also play feature matches to build a traditional tour atmosphere.

Under an existing broadcasting agreement, the Wallabies must play five Tests at home each year. One against Ireland, one against South Africa and two against New Zealand next season would leave the ARU one short if France was told to stay away.

"You may be able to argue that the All Blacks against the Reds and the Waratahs would satisfy that requirement and provide better and more meaningful contests," O'Neill added. (How about another PI Test?)

He also confirmed a Test against the All Blacks in Hong Kong next year, on the way to Europe in November, was an "80 per cent" chance.

[The EnForcer]

I can almost guarantee the French will say that they will send a full strength side and then not when the time comes.

[Burgs]

Maybe we should name an Australia "B" and take on PNG or the like, would still be a "Test Match".

[hopep]

Not to mention that the frogs will be really snotty after losing the RWC at home to Australia.

[JediKnight]

Who's going to assess whether it's a full-strength French side? Are the Wallabies' selectors or Australian media going to become experts in French rugby?

[Burgs]

I hear Greg Growden is applying for the job.

[tragic]

*gets all misty at the thought of Growden buggering off to France*

[Darren]

[JediKnight]

I've got some spare frequent flier points!!!

And I know some 'interesting' places en la France pour Monsieur Growden...!!!

[Burgs]

Oh, he wouldn't be gone long. He has to stay around to tell us about the troubles with the Wallabies too.

[shasta]

I've got some spare frequent flier points!!!

F@ck Growden!

Any spare FF points can be donated to my account if you're flicking them about. Then maybe I'll go to France too.

[JediKnight]

Now why would NZ play NSW & Queensland...are they after a soft challenge against the easybeats?

[no.8]

Now why would NZ play NSW & Queensland...are they after a soft challenge against the easybeats?

Yeh! They could play someone hard like the Brumbies and the Western Force!

[Burgs]

I think it is to do with replacing the fixture, ie Sydney and Brisbane Tests.
Not sure if it's the best option for Australian (or NZ) Rugby though.
Instead of playing against an "A Grade" France we'll play the IRB #1 NZ with two "A Grade" teams of our own
Why would the AB's want to come over and play soft opposition and not even get Test caps for it?

[Burgs]

Blacks reject HK Bledisloe

From Fox staff writers
July 27, 2007

SUGGESTIONS that New Zealand could play midweek games in Australia next year are mere speculation, outgoing New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Chris Moller said this morning.

And Moller also said a suggestion from his Australian Rugby Union counterpart, John O'Neill, that the Bledisloe Cup will be at stake in next year's Hong Kong Test, is a far-fetched idea.

While the two countries were working through details of playing a Test in Hong Kong late next year, Moller said it will not be a Cup match.

"We have to understand that rugby (in Australia) struggles to get coverage. It is what - the fourth, fifth (sporting) code in Australia? John is very good at talking to the media and he will regularly be in the media putting ideas out there," Moller told a New Zealand radio station.

He said he had heard through the media about possible midweek games in Australia against such teams as the Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs around the two Bledisloe Cup matches there next season.

"I mean SANZAR can't even agree on the Tri-Nations tour for next year let alone try the sort of things John is suggesting," said Moller

"I think it's just the normal effort by John to boost the coverage of rugby in Australia.

"I'm not saying it's impossible (to play midweek matches next year) but it certainly will pose some challenges and certainly we've had no discussions in the New Zealand Rugby Union or with the All Blacks or anybody, so it's mere speculation at this moment."

Moller said the NZRU views the Hong Kong match as an ordinary Test.

"Our view, from the NZRU at this stage - and we might change that view - is that it should not be a Bledisloe Cup. We will have three matches for the Bledisloe (Cup) next year - two in Australia and one here - and if we're going to play a Bledisloe Cup (match) in Hong Kong then is it a fourth match? Is it a one-off? All of those issues will have to be worked through.

"Our preliminary view is that it would be better just to play the Test and see what sort of interest we get before we throw the Bledisloe on the line outside of Australasia."

O'Neill, eager to revive rugby's glory days in Australia, has said "mini" (five or six game) All Blacks tours would recapture the public's interest in a manner similar to the highly successful visit of the British and Irish Lions in 2001.

He said the recent expansion of the Tri-Nations series, with Australia, New Zealand and South Africa playing each other three times, made his notion viable - and certainly more appealing than hosting understrength teams from the northern hemisphere.

O'Neill suggested for the alternate years, when the All Blacks and Springboks have to play two Tri-Nations Tests in Australia, that they came for two to three weeks and included mid-week games - and vice-versa.

"You may be able to argue the All Blacks versus the (Queensland) Reds, the All Blacks versus the Waratahs might provide a better and meaningful contest," said O'Neill said, comparing those games with understrength Test teams from the northern hemisphere.