Wallabies 2020

[Wilson]

Is there any pressure at the moment? Doesn't feel like it. Seems like the ideal situation for some young'ens to cut their teeth before being thrown to the wolves.

Not as much now confined to super rugby AU, which may well be the making of them. Will be a hell of a lot if they're all thrown into 4 matches straight against the all blacks

 

[KiwiM]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...zealand-will-host-the-2020-rugby-championship

The Rugby Championship will be held in New Zealand later this year, as long as the government approves and the Covid-19 situation doesn’t deteriorate.

Sanzaar confirmed New Zealand was the preferred host for the four-team championship in a statement on Thursday morning, pointing to ‘’Covid stability within the region’’.

‘’Critical to this, however, is alignment with the New Zealand Government around its requirements for this to take place,’’ Sanzaar chief executive Andy Marinos said in a statement.

‘’Sanzaar is well advanced in option planning with New Zealand Rugby, which in turn, is now seeking New Zealand Government approval. It is hoped that details on the [Rugby Championship] will be announced in the near future.’’

 

[Derpus]

That's a shame. I was keen for some live rugby.

 

[zer0]

Details on the potential/likely RC:

The Rugby Championship will be held in New Zealand later this year, as long as the government approves and the Covid-19 situation doesn’t deteriorate. Sanzaar confirmed New Zealand was the preferred host for the four-team championship in a statement on Thursday morning, pointing to "Covid stability within the region". "Critical to this, however, is alignment with the New Zealand Government around its requirements for this to take place," Sanzaar chief executive Andy Marinos said in a statement. "Sanzaar is well advanced in option planning with New Zealand Rugby, which in turn, is now seeking New Zealand Government approval. It is hoped that details on the [Rugby Championship] will be announced in the near future."

The tournament would likely kickoff in September or October, after the three visiting teams had completed required quarantine. The Rugby Championship is usually made up of home and away fixtures between all teams, with games between the All Blacks and Wallabies doubling as Bledisloe Cup matches. It’s unclear if the format will change, should the tournament indeed go ahead in New Zealand.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...zealand-will-host-the-2020-rugby-championship

EDIT: Beaten to the punch by 1 minute it seems.

Bastard.

 

[barbarian]

Interesting to see if there's any revenue sharing worked out from the gate takings.

 

[zer0]

Interesting to see if there's any revenue sharing worked out from the gate takings.

You'd like to think so given NZR's campaigning on the matter, and the setup they have with the PI nations. Would be a bit of a dick move, otherwise.

 

[barbarian]

There will certainly have be some sort of financial equalisation given the costs that will be incurred by the three non-NZ teams. Flights, hotels, food etc for six weeks +.

But if it goes ahead it's good news for us. Games against Argentina especially will be a good opportunity to blood our young talent, and it will be a better solution overall than having four Bledisloes back-to-back.

 

[Dctarget]

Imagine if we got gate takings for our 'home' games in NZ. Might make more money than if we had it at home, genius.

 

[kiap]

Might see something like a 31-man RWC-style squad imposed?

Teams are flat-out broke. Also the logistics are likely too hard to fly in replacements.

 

[Braveheart81]

Imagine if we got gate takings for our 'home' games in NZ. Might make more money than if we had it at home, genius.

Given Eden Park has a capacity of 50k, most if not all Bledisloe Cup games in Australia have had larger crowds than any game in NZ.

 

[Dctarget]

Might see something like a 31-man RWC-style squad imposed?

Teams are flat-out broke. Also the logistics are likely too hard to fly in replacements.

For SA & Argentina for sure. But you'd imagine it'd be fine if QLD kept to zero cases.

 

[Braveheart81]

For SA & Argentina for sure. But you'd imagine it'd be fine if QLD kept to zero cases.

You'd have to remove the 14 day quarantine rules though otherwise replacements wouldn't be feasible.

 

[Derpus]

Can't see NZ agreeing to remove the quarantine period.

 

[kiap]

For SA & Argentina for sure. But you'd imagine it'd be fine if QLD kept to zero cases.

It's a short-ish flight but I think there will be no bubble.

Might then be a fairness issue, but I suspect the bokke won't be booking a return seat for the cup or their world title belt.

 

[Omar Comin']

A lot of the Argentinian players have signed for European teams. How likely is it that they'll make themselves unavailable for the RC given the time commitment?

 

[Derpus]

A lot of the Argentinian players have signed for European teams. How likely is it that they'll make themselves unavailable for the RC given the time commitment?

Seems insane they'd turn down the opportunity of international sport, particularly if there is revenue sharing.

 

[Dctarget]

Why not Perth (or Brisbane)? It's much closer to SA and ABs don't need any more of an advantage.

 

[Braveheart81]

Why not Perth (or Brisbane)? It's much closer to SA and ABs don't need any more of an advantage.

Too much uncertainty around venue and COVID-19 availability I'd guess. NRL grand final is 25 October. Cricket Australia would still have bookings held for the T20 World Cup that is going to get cancelled in Perth for the end of October and potentially for the India series that will happen instead.

 

[zer0]

Speaking of cricket, are you guys not stuck with us for the summer? If so, I totes look forward to the inevitable 666 T20's, 357 ODI's, and 3 lets be real, 2, tests.

 

[Braveheart81]

Speaking of cricket, are you guys not stuck with us for the summer? If so, I totes look forward to the inevitable 666 T20's, 357 ODI's, and 3 lets be real, 2, tests.

India will come out here for a test series apparently.