Wallabies-All Blacks to play in Tokyo in fourth Bledisloe Cup clash

[travelling_gerry]

June 30, 2009

The Wallabies will take on the All Blacks on October 31 in a fourth match of the Bledisloe Cup at Japan's 57,000-seat National Stadium.

But the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) also confirmed that the series will be scaled back from four matches to three in 2010 as focus shifts towards the 2011 World Cup and national sides face an increasingly busy Test schedule.

It will be only the second Bledisloe Cup match staged on neutral soil, following last year's fixture in Hong Kong where the All Blacks beat the Wallabies 19-14.

The match will precede the Wallabies' European tour in November, when they take on England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in their first grand slam attempt in 25 years.

ARU deputy chief executive Matt Carroll said taking another Bledisloe Cup Test to the bigger commercial markets in Asia was an exciting initiative for all involved.

“Playing in Tokyo is certainly in line with our strategic imperatives, announced at the start of 2008,'' Carroll said.

“As was outlined then, ARU is endeavouring to gain a share of valuable rugby economies outside Australia.

“The game in Japan receives significant university and corporate support.

“It is also an important step forward in terms of sporting relationships between our two countries.''

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans welcomed the announcement.

“It is an opportunity for the rugby-loving public of Japan to see two of the best teams in action up close, while also having a rare opportunity to sample the great history which accompanies the Bledisloe Cup rivalry between Australia and New Zealand,'' Deans said.

“The scheduling of a game in Japan is an exciting proposition for the players which they are looking forward to.''

New Zealand have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003 and beat the Wallabies 3-1 in 2008.
AAP

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...016959,00.html

[Burgs]

Would be a good opportunity for the balance of the Squad plus a few extra's made up an Australia A to play Japan as the curtain raiser.

[Stone Cold]

Nice idea Burgs...let's hope someone takes that on board

[Happy]

hmm before you know it .. the bledisloe will be the best of 21 games played all around the world, cept australia to increase cash

[James]

hmm before you know it .. the bledisloe will be the best of 21 games played all around the world, cept australia to increase cash

Before you know it.. the Bledisloe will be played between the USA and China in Timbucktu!

[jargan83]

hmm before you know it .. the bledisloe will be the best of 21 games played all around the world, cept australia to increase cash

at least it would be a series with an odd number so a drawn series cannot happen. FFS thats why they went back to a 3 game series in the first place

[James]

at least it would be a series with an odd number so a drawn series cannot happen. FFS thats why they went back to a 3 game series in the first place

I think the IRB has recently changed things so if a series is drawn points difference decides the winner (thats the way it was with the ABs and France). Good for us. It means we only have to win two so long as we win them well.

[jargan83]

I think the IRB has recently changed things so if a series is drawn points difference decides the winner (thats the way it was with the ABs and France). Good for us. It means we only have to win two so long as we win them well.

I don't think it was an IRB directive, possibly something decided by the two nations. I read something that said the Bledisloe is still awarded to which ever team wins the most games, and in the event of a drawn series the holder keeps the cup

[Burgs]

Yeah, that's my understanding on both counts too Jargs.
Gunna make it a grand effort if we do win it this year with two in NZ, one in Japan and only the one home match. Followed by a two match series next season, so only two actual home matches in two years

[mudskipper]

And the Sydney home Wallabies game is after th road trip Eden Park, Auckland
via Newlands Stadium, Cape Town... front up the following week and play a rested All Blacks squad...

ARU are hunting cash not trophies...

[AndyS]

Did anyone go to HK last year?

[tragic]

The InnForcers have competition (or company):
http://www.rugbywa.com.au/newsletter...wsletter/56007