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No Eden Park pain for Wallabies in 2023

(Photo by Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz)

After their latest Bledisloe Cup humiliation, the Wallabies can at least take heart that they won’t lose at Eden Park in 2023, with the ground off limits thanks to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

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The Australians were rolled 40-14 in Auckland last Saturday – their 23rd straight loss to the All Blacks at the venue in 36 years.

Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos said on Monday that the football tournament would force venue changes in both countries next year.

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He said the Wallabies would only play two Rugby Championship matches in Australia in 2023 – one against Argentina and one against New Zealand, which doubles as a Bledisloe Cup Test.

The return Bledisloe could be played in Dunedin where the Wallabies at least cracked a win back in 2001, but definitely won’t be at Eden Park.

“We’ve got limited availability in Australia as well,” Marinos told reporters on Monday.

“We will play our Bledisloe at the MCG and we’re just working through the venues around NSW for the Argentinian Test.”

Meanwhile, Marinos said Rugby Australia was making “huge strides” towards a centralised program, following the lead of the Irish Rugby Football Union and New Zealand Rugby.

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“We prefer to call it alignment … we’re busy working through a new contracting model that will create greater alignment between states and RA.

“The biggest thing with this alignment is working more closely with individual states to improve the high performance environment so we produce the players we all believe we need for the club and the national game.

“There’s a lot more collaboration and in a short time-frame an improvement in the performances.”

He said he didn’t expect Wallabies players would be forced to rest from Super Rugby games as part of their load management leading into next year’s Rugby World Cup in France.

Marinos said RA was continuing to work with Queensland to keep Taniela Tupou in Australian rugby and was confident the poster-boy prop wanted to stay.

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“We’re talking directly with Taniela and his representatives about what his longer term future looks like,” he said.

“He’s certainly expressed a very strong interest and desire to commit to Australian rugby and those conversations are ongoing.”

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H
Hellhound 31 minutes ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

Rassie has done very well with the Boks. The well will certainly not dry up soon. The amount of young talent coming through, that don't even stand a chance of making it in before 2027, is just absolutely amazing.


However, Rassie has proven to be a rugby genius. He will never rest on his laurels. It's why he keeps evolving tactics, keeping everyone on their toes. He doesn't underestimate any team. He is very aware of just how close the top teams is.


There will be no complacency not will he relax with his main stars. He is very astute, knowing that his team is getting older and thus giving the younger players much more playtime than what any other coach would do.


By the time the 2027 WC comes around, he will be prepared to defend his title and he knows one bad day will end a triple WC crown. Competition is that close. The Boks are in transition, even though it doesn't look like it.


After the 2027 WC, most of the double (possible triple) WC champs players will become unavailable due to retirement from international rugby. Rassie is already preparing the replacements, getting caps under their belts.


The top teams is just too close to underestimate and no Bok will be allowed to get complacent. Although they are by far the current most successful team and clearly the best by miles, they are not undefeatable.


Very tough to beat yes, but they can lose on the day. I am not worried. The youngsters by 2027 WC will be experienced with lots of years ahead and that should be a warning to the rest of the pack biting at their heels. Love them or hate them, but you have to admire the Boks. They truely deserve to be top dogs currently.

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