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Super Rugby star excited by Trans-Tasman competition after NZ-Australia travel bubble announced

(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Wallabies and Queensland Reds five-eighth James O’Connor is keen to break out the popcorn and study a new opposition after confirmation of a travel bubble gave Super Rugby Trans-Tasman new life.

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The five-week, home-and-away tournament set for mid-May, featuring all 10 Australian and New Zealand Super Rugby outfits, hinges on the existence of a travel bubble that on Tuesday was given the green light from April 19.

Quarantine-free travel between the countries will allow teams to fly in and out for games in a massive boost for Rugby Australia, who are desperate for the tournament to be played in some shape or form after the domestic champion is crowned.

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The All Blacks share what the always eat before test matches

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The All Blacks share what the always eat before test matches

It’s also a boost for the unbeaten Reds, who have their eyes on a May 22 Suncorp Stadium clash with the Crusaders, who they beat to claim their only Super Rugby title at the same ground 10 years ago.

That game should attract a large crowd and O’Connor said the chance to tussle again with the New Zealand franchises excited him.

“We want to play the Kiwis and everyone wants to see it and we think it will bring the best out of us at all,” he said.

“Everyone brings something different, like Australian rugby it’s similar styles but intricacies within that and the Kiwis are the same and I can’t wait to unlock their defence.

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“We’ll watch some game footage, kick it old school, get the popcorn out and blackboard up and start writing some plays up, I’m really excited to do that.”

Both countries will hold their domestic finals on May 8 before each team plays each other over the next month and a champion is crowned in a one-off grand final on June 19.

A Super Round, where all 10 teams play in one location on one weekend, has also been mooted for May 28-29.

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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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