2018 Rugby Championship
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Although it makes me a bit shy it's worth sharing a video panel I jumped on for 3 Blokes A Ball and Bod which was previewing the Rugby Championship.
The style is pretty relaxed but it was good fun to do and hopefully a decent watch.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1825561960891383&id=725046810942909
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@davesofthunder I was surprised Reenan (sp?) stand up for Jantjies - I thought every African rugby lover wanted him nowhere near a Springbok jersey.
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Rugby Championship set for shake-up and Bledisloe Cup boost
Fairfax Media understands SANZAAR will look to move away from the fixed schedule that has been in place since 2012 and consider options that will give the four-nations competition a different feel each year. The shake-up, considered as part of the 2021 broadcast deal talks, could break up the first two Bledisloe Cup fixtures which, in an era of All Blacks dominance, have led to a sharp drop-off in interest from Australian fans early in the competition. But it could also placate an increasingly discontented South Africa who, under the current format, shoulder the bulk of the travel demands. The Springboks play three consecutive Tests on the road each year, the most of any of the four nations. Australia, Argentina and New Zealand each play two Tests away, but the All Blacks are the only nation to host three home games in a row.This doesn't sound appealing:
The "SANZAAR 2030 strategy" paper addressed the issue, raising the prospect of rotating home double-header matches against a single nation. That format might see the Wallabies host two Tests against South Africa, then play two Tests away against Argentina one year, before swapping the next year. It would not break up the Bledisloe Cup fixtures but it might delay them until later in the tournament. -
@stargazer dumb...reduce it to one game, home and away on alternating years.
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@taniwharugby I wonder why it's always Bledisloe I in Oz, and II in NZ? Surely, they could turn that around? And why always the ABs having their home games first? They could mix it up by finishing their two last games in NZ every second year. Won't change the travel, but it's still a change. And why do SA have three consecutive games on the road? Obviously, they have to combine the away games against NZ and Oz, but is Argentina necessary (travelwise)?
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@stargazer said in 2018 Rugby Championship:
@taniwharugby I wonder why it's always Bledisloe I in Oz, and II in NZ? Surely, they could turn that around? And why always the ABs having their home games first?
How many tickets do you think they'd sell after the annual Eden Park pummeling?
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I thought there was a pretty significant fee paid for Bled 1 in sydney every year. And that deal is finally up
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Has been a bit weird that the schedule was locked in and repeated. The comp does need a refresh even if it is from playing with the order of games.
I'm of the 'less is more' camp myself although the problem is that with only 4 teams it makes the comp a bit light.
Maybe something unusual like a hosted comp is the way to go? A SH Cup tournament with the addition of a qualifying other team based on WR ranking eg Japan or a PI nation?
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I think there is hope that if Elton came right he could offer alternative option.
Not sure he will ever be the "main man" though if I'm honest.
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Australian coach Michael Cheika named the following 28-man squad for the opening Rugby Championship match against New Zealand on Saturday.
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Adam Coleman, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (capt), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Izack Rodda, Pete Samu, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Lukhan Tui, Taniela Tupou.
Backs: Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell, Matt Toomua.
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@tim I'm not sure. What I know is that Bruni & Fortuny have made the step up from Argentina V, so my guess is that they haven't played for the Jaguares yet. Apart from that, I'm not aware of the new coach departing from the policy not to select players from Europe.
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Just heard that NMS won't travel to Sydney with the squad because they want him to get some game time in the Mitre 10 Cup. Is that new? Hadn't heard/read that before.
So that narrows the options down; it will either be Naholo or BFA on the right wing.
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@tim said in 2018 Rugby Championship:
Rugby Championship: Don't forget Damian McKenzie - Grant Fox
Deserves a thread all on its own, about him “being in the conversation” that is
Slow news day....
