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'It has to happen': Brad Thorn issues stark warning as powers that be decide on Super Rugby's immediate future

Reds coach Brad Thorn looks on before the round 15 Super Rugby match between the Reds and the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium on May 26, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Brad Thorn says the Queensland Reds are willing to become the Queenstown Reds to ensure they play New Zealand sides later this year.

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But that sort of commitment may not be necessary as the likelihood of a trans-Tasman bubble improves.

Australia’s five Super Rugby outfits are scheduled to play New Zealand’s in a six-week trans-Tasman competition from May 14, once domestic champions are crowned in both countries.

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The crew of James Parsons, Ross Karl and Bryn Hall discuss the heavily debated calls by the television match official in both games of round three of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

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The crew of James Parsons, Ross Karl and Bryn Hall discuss the heavily debated calls by the television match official in both games of round three of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

The delay of a proposed quarantine-free travel bubble because of new COVID-19 outbreaks on both sides of the Tasman put that concept in doubt; however, there are fresh reports it could be installed by mid-April and announced within a week.

Without a quarantine-free bubble, teams would likely be asked to relocate to one hub city for the entirety of the tournament, with the foreign sides then subjected to a 14-day quarantine on return.

That would cause disruptions to the All Blacks and Wallabies’ test preparations but Rugby Australia say all options remain on the table and former All Black Thorn is willing to do anything to make the trans-Tasman competition happen.

“It’s super positive to hear, it’s fantastic and for me it’s not like ‘if it happens’ – it has to happen,” he said.

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“Just make it happen … (if it has to be) in a bubble, wherever that is … we can be the Queenstown Reds for five weeks, 40 minutes from where I grew up on the hills of the Southern Alps.

“There’s good footy going on in Australia and New Zealand; it’s important that that happens and supporters will enjoy it.

“The biggest thing will be buying a big basket of flowers for my wife, but knowing my wife and kids they’ll try and sneak into the bubble as well.”

The Reds (3-0) have emerged as Australia’s form outfit after coming from behind to beat the Brumbies (3-1) in a rollicking 40-38 shootout in Canberra on Saturday.

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They return home to play the Western Force (1-2) this Saturday.

“Hopefully it’s a really good contest again,” Thorn said.

“We’ve had a lot of good feedback around that on what both sides brought so we’ll be looking for more of that.

“They have a lot of experience; (Irish fullback) Rob Kearney I played with at Leinster and (All Blacks winger) Richard Kahui I played with … proud men, lot of experience and they’ll be coming to get the job done.”

– Murray Wenzel

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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