Australian Rugby Union has welcomed recognition from the International Rugby Board that the June inbound tour window in the Southern Hemisphere requires urgent attention.
A meeting between IRB officials and representatives from the 10 Tier One nations in London overnight discussed ways to reinvigorate showpiece matches involving Northern and Southern Hemisphere nations ? including the possible return of traditional tours by European countries.
To protect the integrity of the June window, a fallback position is also a possibility where Southern Hemisphere nations would have the right to arrange alternative matches outside the IRB roster if Northern Hemisphere countries are unable or unwilling to provide full-strength teams.
A range of proposals will be discussed by the IRB Executive Committee and IRB Council later this month after the meeting where Tier One nations (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa England, France, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy and Argentina) provided two delegates each.
Their talks included moving towards:
+ The re-introduction of traditional tours by Northern Hemisphere countries, with nations restricting themselves to visiting one of Australia, New Zealand or South Africa each June and playing a series of up to three Tests and potentially a number of midweek matches.
+ A mini-tournament to be played between the two other SANZAR nations and a number of other invited countries when the British and Irish Lions are on tour in the third SANZAR nation.
+ SANZAR to engage Argentina about the prospect of expanding the Tri Nations series to include the 2007 Rugby World Cup semi-finalists in a Four Nations competition. A timeline for any invitation to Argentina will require further direct discussion between SANZAR and Argentina.
?While this was not a decision making forum, it underlined the need to improve the quality, the competitiveness and the integrity of international matches which are so crucial to continuing the growth of Rugby worldwide,? said ARU Managing Director and CEO John O?Neill.
?In terms of inbound tours, we could see the likes of England coming to Australia to play three Tests and maybe three midweek matches.
?It would put real meaning into visits which in recent years have waned, especially when sides coming to the Southern Hemisphere have not been at full-strength.
?A backstop scenario where there may be potential for individual Unions to negotiate their own matches for June and November if a touring country is unwilling or incapable of providing its best team is also extremely important.
?It would give us confidence that alternatives are available, allowing SANZAR nations to protect their domestic markets by ensuring they only showcased best against best.
?The unarguable reality is that the June window is a concern for the Southern Hemisphere.
"By contrast the November window, when the Southern Hemisphere countries tour Europe, is of enormous benefit to the Northern Hemisphere nations.
?Hopefully out of this meeting the North have a greater appreciation of the fact that a continuation of them sending under-strength teams into our backyard cannot be tolerated on rugby or commercial grounds.
?We have reached the crossroads in attempts to solve the June window problem.
"If it is not fixed this way then the fallback option of an open marketplace where countries can negotiate their own matches is a genuine solution.
?We need iron clad assurances from the Northern Hemisphere nations that they will send their best. Otherwise a deregulated June and November window would be viable.?
