Australia could play Canada, Japan in preparation for World Cup next year
Australia could play Canada, Japan in preparation for World Cup next year
THE Wallabies are seeking additional international competition to help prepare for the World Cup in New Zealand next year.
After the 2007 tournament in France, the IRB decided to abandon the traditional Test window in World Cup years.
This means the only international rugby the Wallabies will play before the World Cup will be the Tri-Nations, which will be reduced from 18 games to 12 to accommodate the event.
European teams will play "friendly" matches between each other after the Six Nations tournament, but the Wallabies, All Blacks and Springboks will need to look further afield.
At this stage, Canada and Japan have expressed interest in playing the Wallabies in Australia before the World Cup.
"In 2007, the IRB said that in a World Cup year, there's no inbounds and there's no outbounds," ARU chief executive John O'Neill said.
"So next year, we'll have an expanded Super rugby, which will start in the first week of February and go to the middle of July. Then we'll start straight into an abbreviated Tri-Nations. All Blacks for two, Springboks for two -- four Tests. And then straight into the World Cup. It's a tall order.
"We may end up getting one or two teams coming here before the World Cup and we might get a game against them. Canada have expressed a desire. I think Japan has, as well.
"We have encouraged as many teams as possible. Twenty teams are playing at the World Cup. Apart from New Zealand and South Africa, we have encouraged the other teams to play warm-up games in Australia."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225828494214
