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Castle flags possible Aussie rugby return dates

By Online Editors
Wallabies super-subs Nic White and Matt To'omua. (Photo by Cameron Spencer / Getty Images)

Rugby has jokingly asked for a second oval on the NRL’s “Fantasy Island” as they plan for a potential July return – more than a month later than their rugby league counterparts.

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Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle has flagged a July or August kick-off for a domestic Super Rugby alternative and hopes a three-match Bledisloe Cup series is still possible later this year.

RA, who have stood down 75 per cent of staff and cut player salaries by about 60 per cent on average, could lose $1.2 million in revenue if no more games are possible this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Brumbies prop Scott Sio speaks about life in lockdown.

Brumbies prop Scott Sio talks about salary cuts and other issues surrounding the COVID-19 lockdown

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Brumbies prop Scott Sio speaks about life in lockdown.

Brumbies prop Scott Sio talks about salary cuts and other issues surrounding the COVID-19 lockdown

But their attitude towards a competitive return appears far more cautious than the NRL’s, which plans to resume training on May 4 and games from May 28.

“We’ve asked them to build a second oval on Fantasy Island there with them – we want to be playing on May 28 as well,” Rugby Union Players’ Association president Damien Fitzpatrick said.

“I don’t know where they’re planning on playing, but I spoke to a couple of the boys this morning and said ‘wherever they’re planning on playing I would love to make sure that we’re right there next to them’ because the guys are itching to play, that’s for sure.”

While a purely domestic league appears the most likely entree in “July or August”, Castle is eyeing off a trans-Tasman Super Rugby competition and Tests between the two nations as the main course later in the year.

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“A five week, seven week, 12 week type competition, hopefully of five or six teams,” Castle told rugby.com.au.

“That can give some real substance to finishing off what we started at the beginning of the year and really get the players back on the field so that they can engage in something that’s meaningful.

“We’ve got Test matches that look unlikely now in July (against Ireland and Fiji) … and certainly New Zealand is a target for us, playing the All Blacks … (in) that October or November time frame.”

– AAP

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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