All Blacks Tests 2020

[Tim]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12351218

[Higgins]

@Tim So we mark down two default victories to the All Blacks then.

[antipodean]

Couldn't beat us at the RWC, too scared to defend their status.

[Stargazer]

Expect the Pumas to stay away, too. I think about all their first choice players have signed with European clubs, who won't release them, and their second and third stringers haven't played for ages.

[Bovidae]

So a 4-match Bledisloe Cup series it is then!

[sparky]

NZR could offer the Boks some warm up games against NZ provincial sides.

[antipodean]

@sparky said in All Blacks Tests 2020:

NZR could offer the Boks some warm up games against NZ provincial sides.

Or the Wallabies.

[Machpants]

@Stargazer said in All Blacks Tests 2020:

Expect the Pumas to stay away, too. I think about all their first choice players have signed with European clubs, who won't release them, and their second and third stringers haven't played for ages.

Release window has been decided. It doesn't include quarantine. time tho, and I guess the clubs will do everything they can to fuck it up

[Rapido]

I said pages back on this thread. Should organize inbound 3 test tour by Wallabies with 3 midweek provincial matches. Revenue split it. Make it an old-school event/occasion.

Other , TRC, options are pie in sky this year, I'm afraid.

4 test series wont happen, probably, due to covid situation in Oz. Wont be crowds, anyway.

[sparky]

My guess is that the ABs season will be:

Three Tests in NZ against Australia in October

Three or Four Tests in Japan or the British Isles in November/ Early December, possibly including a game against the Boks.

[sparky]

The November Games between the All Blacks and Scotland & Wales are officially cancelled.

Not though the All Blacks game against England on November 7th. But I can't see the ABs wanting to fly to England to play a single international at Twickenham then fly home and a lengthy quarantine. Total ***king mess.

[canefan]

Not surprised

[sparky]

With eight nations involved in the November tournament, with South Africa and Argentina badly affected by COVID and not wanting to play in 2020, where does that leave the ABs?

How many AB tests will there be in 2020 and involving how many different sides?

[Machpants]

So there fuck knows, ten games Vs wallabies might be all we're getting! Unless World Rugby pay for some of the island teams, who's players are mostly NH, to play here.

[sparky]

@Machpants said in All Blacks Tests 2020:

So there fuck knows, ten games Vs wallabies might be all we're getting! Unless World Rugby pay for some of the island teams, who's players are mostly NH, to play here.

Can't see World Rugby lifting a finger to help the game in NZ or NZR at the moment. They will pass the buck to the NZ government.

Doubt Australia will come to NZ unless games in OZ are scheduled too.

Zero Tests and bankruptcy looking more and more likely.

[Machpants]

@sparky I disagree about Oz, and the PI. Oz will come, cos there will be revenue sharing, and TV revenue will still be good. WR would be helping the PI not NZR, paying their fares etc, the sort of stuff they do.

[sparky]

What I'd be trying to negotiate now given SA have basically said they don't want to play international rugby in 2020.

A three test series between Oz and NZ in NZ in October.

A eight nation tourament in Oz and NZ (two groups, then playoffs) in November involving NZ, Oz, Argentina, Georgia, Tonga, Samoa, US and Canada . It would need World Rugby help with airfares and NZ government to relax quarantine restrictions a bit in exchange for squads being tested every day.

[Dice]

@Tim said in All Blacks Tests 2020:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/300065707/all-blacks-reportedly-set-to-kick-off-test-season-against-combined-pacific-xv-in-auckland

My go at a best of the rest PI team.

1 - Alex Hodgman
2 - Andrew Makalio
3 - Nepo Laulala/Angus Ta'avao(can see one of them missing the ABs this year)
4 - Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
5 - Isaia Walker-Leawere
6 - Akira Ioane(possible AB)
7 - Du'Plessis Kirifi
8 - Marino Mikaele-Tu'u(possible AB)
9 - Folau Fakatava
10 - Josh Ioane
11 - Leicester Fainga'anuku
12 - TJ Faiane
13 - Peter Umaga-Jensen
14 - Mark Telea
15 - David Havili(possible AB)

16 - Samisoni Takei'aho
17 - George Bower
18 - Michael Alaalatoa
19 - Vaea Fifita/Kane Leaupepe/Naitoa Ah Kuoi
20 - Pita Sowakula
21 - Ere Enari
22 - Stephen Perofeta
23 - Vince Aso

Not that bad a team IMO.

Didn't include Karl T, Aumua, Papali'i, Clarke or Laumape because I think they have a high chance of making the ABs, but I can see one or two of them missing out.

[Stargazer]

@Dice Laumape will definitely miss out (both teams), considering he's broken his arm and won't be back until November at the earliest.

[Tim]

@Dice Good team.