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How today's events could shape the future of Australian rugby
Brad Thorn believes trans-Tasman rugby union has a “world class” product staring it in the face as Rugby Australia (RA) accepts last-minute broadcast bids on Friday.
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It’s deadline day for expressions of interest to broadcast the suite of Australian club, domestic and international rugby content beyond 2020.
Just how next year’s Super Rugby reincarnation will look could be determined by who purchases the broadcast rights, with interim RA chief executive Rob Clarke allowing buyers to purchase pieces rather than former boss Raelene Castle’s whole-of-package proposition.
Castle had knocked back incumbent broadcaster Fox Sport’s initial bid and tested the open market before the coronavirus intervened, skewering any deal and leading to her exit.
Now RA is left to scrap for interest in a buyer’s market, with Foxtel boss Patrick Delaney this week failing to mention rugby in a speech when listing the sports he is happy to continue investing in.
With so much talent rising through Australia's loose forward ranks, veteran star Michael Hooper may have a hard time finding his place under Dave Rennie's watch.https://t.co/Z252BoN5vM
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 29, 2020
RA rejected an early New Zealand competition proposal that included just two Australian outfits, the national body keen to protect all five teams competing in the Super Rugby AU tournament.
Both countries are no closer to agreeing on a structure, with a repeat of this season’s Super Rugby AU one option for 2021 if no long-term trans-Tasman deal can be struck.
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Queensland Reds coach Thorn, a former All Black and title winner with the Crusaders, hopes broadcasters and administrators on both sides of the Tasman see the light and create a desirable product.
“Nothing’s changed in my mind; I think there’s a world class competition there to be had,” he said.
“With (all) New Zealand and Australian teams and we’re even talking about a team from the (Pacific) Islands.
“From both sides of the Tasman, what you hear is that’s what everyone would like and it seems a positive thing.
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“I think that’d be an exciting competition and I’d want to be part of it.”
The broadcast bid deadline arrives as RA remains in talks with respective organisations about a Bledisloe Cup series in Australia and a Rugby Championship later this year.
It is hoped the All Blacks play two Tests in October, with at least one in Brisbane as teams occupy bio-secure bubbles during the series.
– Murray Wenzel
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
50 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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