Bledisloe Cup clash on ANZAC Day might work but with consequences
In an interview with the Inside Line podcast Rugby Australia chairman Daniel Herbert revived a decade-old idea for a Bledisloe Cup Test match on Anzac Day.
New Zealand was initially dismissive suggesting the logistics of such a fixture were too difficult. But with both countries facing major financial challenges – RA will announce a loss for 2023 at their next AGM and is battling again this year – Herbert believes rugby needs to embrace bold ideas built around commerciality and entertainment and let go of “amateur baggage” holding the game back.
“It is not two clubs against one another. It is a long-standing rivalry, but also a long-term partnership, and recognised through a flagship event like that, we could develop a really big event, a prestigious event around that,” Herbert elaborated.
He described a possible Anzac Day fixture as a “no brainer.”
If ever there was an illustration of the diminishing interest in the Blediose Cup it surely peaked in 2021.
Only 25,121 spectators watched the All Blacks thrash Australia 57-22 in a brilliant performance at Eden Park. The crowd was even smaller for the Sydney Test. Only 25,689 fans filled the 80,000 seats at ANZ Stadium.
Granted those matches were played during the confusing Covid period but the Sydney Blediose Cup Test used to be a guaranteed sellout. It hasn’t sold out since 2009 when 80,228 showed up.
In 2012, 76,877 people watched the All Blacks 27-19 win. The last Blediose Test to sell out in Brisbane was an 18-18 draw in 2012.
An Anzac Day Union Test that emulated the historical ceremony, narratives, and marketing of rival codes AFL and NRL would unquestionably attract great interest. But it needs to come attached with another caveat.
The Test on April 25 should be the game to decide the winner of the trophy. A one-off, winner-takes-all game that switches between countries each year would enhance the magnitude of the occasion.
Since 1995, 22 of the 82 Blediose Cup Tests (27%) have been ‘dead rubbers.’ That is the winner of the trophy has already been settled before kickoff. Can you imagine the NBA playing a Game 7 of the finals when one side already leads a series 6-0?
Australia’s lack of competitiveness and milking of a previously lucrative cash cow has led to an abundance of fixtures with nothing riding on them.
Sure every Test is important for the players and there have been some great games when the destination of the Bledisloe has already been settled. In 2010 James O’Connor kicked a last-play conversion for a Wallabies win in Hong Kong. In 2014 Malakai Fekitoa scored a try on the siern for the All Blacks in Brisbane.
Sure, other sporting contests like Ashes cricket last year have compelling ‘dead rubbers’ but the Bledisloe Cup needs a shot up the arm and an ANZAC day, winner-takes-all, fixture provides that.
From an Australian perspective, two of their most iconic Bledisloe Cup victories were in one-off games in 1979 and 1994. In 1993 there were absolute scenes on the terraces at Carisbrook in Dundien when the All Blacks beat Australia 25-10 to regain the Bledisloe.
An international in April doesn’t give either team much time to prepare which might compromise the quality of play, but conversely, it adds a sense of intrigue and desperation with so much on the line and little time together.
Leading players seemingly come and go when they please from Super Rugby these days so the excuse of player burnout doesn’t wash.
There’s no reason why the Black Ferns and Wallaroos can’t be part of the occasion either or they could play a match at a different time on the same day.
On both sides of the Tasman participation numbers at the grassroots level are falling.
Several factors could be responsible for the decline in numbers including cost of living pressures and other recreational choices.
Surely another reason is the sheer size of rugby players. In the first 20 years of professionalism, the average weight of a rugby international increased by 20kg. A healthy 85kg battler trying to stop a 140kg behemoth is usually a hopeless cause for the former.
Rugby World Cup-winning coach Sir Graham Henry recognised this. In 2021 he was instrumental in establishing a National Under 85kg competition in New Zealand which featured over 50 teams last year. A national side that didn’t play a game was selected. Suddenly a viable alternative is opening for those of smaller or average weight to compete, stay, and maybe one day get paid in the game they love.
What about an Under 85kg Bledisloe Cup? Call it the ‘George.’ That is the George Gregan/George Nepia trophy – two iconic players from each country under 85kg separated by nearly a century. That’s proof little guys can be enduringly successful.
Anzac Day, a day when New Zealand and Australia share common ground could be even more special for rugby with increased relevance introduced to a long rivalry.
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Comments on RugbyPass
I reckon it may be Jordan at 10 and Nohamba at 9, both players have played together alot and both have been on the Radar for a long time. After Pollard got injured in 2022 with Elton sidelined on a path of self destruction Erasmus and Nienaber indicated that the other options in the country at the time were thin but that Jordan and Manie were the 2 they were looking at. In the end Frans steyn played flyhalf, Willemse slotted in there on the end of year with Libbok as back up. Jordan was right there in the thinking back then so expect him to take the Jersey either as the starter.
1 Go to commentsHaha did he always say it in a sarcastic teacher sort of manor or was it the petulant English snob sort of wail?
42 Go to commentsWell said Mils. It is a big boost at last having Fergus Burke back at 10 for the Crusaders. Had a great season last year as the article says. Mils is also right about captain Codie Taylor’s performance in his return to the Crusaders last week. He was all class.
4 Go to commentsLet’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to commentsOur best player by far..but not a good Captain..poor tactician cost the AB'S and Canes games by not taking the easy points and going for tries when the lineouts were a shambles..can he read a game? And his throat slitting gesture should disqualify him from the AB Captaincy..it is not the appropriate behaviour of an AB Captain.
16 Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
122 Go to commentsOn one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
4 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
6 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
122 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
42 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
6 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
122 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
42 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to comments