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Wallabies faced with possibility of four-match Bledisloe Cup series to be held in New Zealand

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Interim Rugby Australia chief executive Rob Clarke hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Bledisloe Cup matches being held on both sides of the Tasman.

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He has, however, conceded there is a chance the Wallabies may have to try and snatch the coveted silverware off the All Blacks for the first time since 2003 while playing solely in New Zealand.

A four-match series is expected to be played between the two sides between October and November, with both nations pencilled in to host two matches apiece.

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The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the first of the two clashes to be held in Australia would take place on October 10 in either Sydney or Perth, while the second would be held on October 17 in Brisbane.

Although he was optimistic about playing those matches in front of live crowds, Clarke revealed there is a “temptation” to move all four games to New Zealand where that aspect of fan attendance would be guaranteed.

Entering its final round of the season, Super Rugby Aotearoa has been played largely in front of bumper crowds across New Zealand.

Super Rugby AU, meanwhile, has taken place in front of restricted crowds as Australia grapples with a second wave of COVID-19 cases.

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The economic toll that has come with the coronavirus pandemic means financial income of any means is of paramount importance.

With ticket revenue a significant source of income, the prospect of splitting ticket sales and hosting the series entirely in New Zealand, where all four games would likely sell-out, stands as a lucrative option.

“Ideally you would want [games] in Australia to reward your fans so they could come and watch the game and, certainly from a commercial point of view, we have many corporate supporters and we’d want to reward them as well,” Clarke said on Monday.

“We’re working with various governments to see what the potential crowds might be and what limitations might be placed on match-day crowds. That will have an influence on at least where one of the games might be played.

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“If everything turned negative, then yes, one of the scenarios could be that we play those two Bledisloes in New Zealand and capitalise on the opportunities they present. That has been factored into our thinking but certainly isn’t our preference.”

New Zealand is already set to host the entire Rugby Championship between November and December, with their two home Bledisloe Cup clashes expected to be held during the opening fortnight of that competition.

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Bull Shark 24 minutes ago
England and their Chief problem

It’s full of hogs, homophobes, redneck asshats and appears to be governed by Trump’s Taliban.

An absurd statement! Outrageous! The people of Missouri must surely revolt!


All he has to do is hustle over to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, sit down over a cold Michelob with the Chiefs’ Head Coach, Andy Reid, and ask him one question: namely, how does his team manage to haul their butts out of the bonfire every other week when the flames are licking around their pants?

To be fair, Steve could achieve the same thing if he hustled down to his local bowls club. Or his local school cricket team. I don't think he needs to go so far out of town to get advice - because he's getting the basics wrong!


Are we comparing like with like here? In fairness, we’re probably not. The Chiefs are the back-to-back Superbowl champions and boast a roster of players and coaches who can all finish each other’s sentences.

This rugby website must please stop feeding our trough with NFL stuff. It makes me nauseaous.


The chiefs can go smoke a bong for all I care. All Borthwick needs to do (without code hopping) would be to look at the Boks who are filled with players and coaches who can finish each others sentences. Oh, and all he'd really need to do to get some useful insights would be to talk to Felix Jones - you know, who was actually part of the bok team.


‘We don’t have any contact with Felix,’ he said. ‘I’m not sure if the coaches do or not.’ Let’s be very polite here: this is something of a head-scratcher.


Bloody ridiculous...


Which, in turn, begs the question why haven’t England been a yard in front in their last two games? Because, defensively right now, they’re a jumble.


Getting warmer....


We know not why, although, supposedly, he’s still working for the team ‘remotely’. If you know what this means or how it works, I’m all ears. Certainly, England have no idea.

We know why. Felix said the environment was sh1t. Looks at Borthwick.


The bottom line is this:


- The management of this team is broken;

- You can't be great if your team culture and management is broken (The basics);

- Borthwick is the chief architect of this;

- Just as they looked to get their defence right during the 6 Nations - Felix is out the picture;

- They are at sqaure one - and their defence last week was hopeless. Not fixable in a week;

- The English looked unfit - and that can't be fixed in a week either.


The problems and the solution are so obvious. But anyway - let's wait until after the 6 Nations to fix the problem. England is in a slow burn - and after England ships 10 - 44 points against the Boks on Saturday I expect the sh1t will truly hit the fan.


Reckon England Rugby Team will get debated in parliament even.


Sir Clive is definitely going to poo his pants.


The Springboks are going in to this game preparing as if they are playing in a World Cup Semi-Final. England are toast.


I'll even predict that England will take an early lead. Score two tries, quick out the gates. Cunningham-Smith will be going bonkers. Downing a beer in the stands with the fans.


60 minutes later... Toast.

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