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![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
By Iain Payten
June 16, 2009 Australia players have urged SANZAR to consider bringing back day matches after Canberra Stadium literally froze over in their Test win over Italy on Saturday night.
The peril of playing evening matches in cold winter climes went a step further than dew or fog late in the Wallabies' 31-8 victory when the chilly temperatures turned the heavy dew on the ground into ice.
The Antarctic development topped off a difficult night for players in which the slippery surface and greasy ball made footing and handling tough and prevented an expansive spectacle.
It also stirred up debate about the sense of playing mid-winter matches at night in cold-climate locations such as Canberra and New Zealand. Though such fixtures are scheduled to meet the demands of TV broadcasters - who get better ratings at night - Wallabies prop Al Baxter is one of many players who believe day football is far more conducive to entertaining rugby.
"As players we understand the need to have the games at night, because it is easier to draw television crowds, but we'd love to have a couple of Tests in the day because it is great to play during the day," Baxter said.
"I know when we play in Africa it is great, because a lot of their games are 3 o'clock in the afternoon. It is excellent playing in the sun and the warmth, and dry conditions.
"The commercial reality is it has to be at night but I would love to play afternoon games because they're the perfect conditions."
Far different from Canberra on Saturday night, when even the longest studs in Baxter's kit bag (21mm) couldn't grip the sodden turf.
"At the end of the game, there was actually ice forming on the grass," Baxter said.
The push for day matches is topical given SANZAR are deep in their re-negotiations with broadcasters over the new Super 15.
With the expanded competition to play in the chillier winter months of June and July, many more matches in Canberra, New Zealand and potentially Melbourne will have to be scheduled.
There is a strong feeling that SANZAR should bring back afternoon games to ensure crowd comfort and good spectacles.
The Canberra Raiders and New Zealand Warriors successfully petition the NRL for afternoon matches during the colder months. All four Raiders home games in June-July are day games.
"There's no doubt the players and the fans have a preference for playing in the day," players' boss Tony Dempsey said. "It is a matter of working with the broadcasters to get the right mix. Now is a wonderful opportunity to do that."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...016959,00.html
I think it is a fair point for playing in Canberra but those extremes are very unlikely at our other venues.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
OH come on....boohoohoo...HTFU.....it's only cold when you have yo go out and shovel the snow off the white lines before you are allowed to play!![]()
Just happy to be here
Soft cocks, for 11K per Wallabies match they can toughen up, perhaps even wear a sports skin... The Green Bay Packers can show them some resilience… Deans must be having a quiet chuckle coming from one of the cooler parts of the Shaky Isles...
Green Bay drive in all conditions
Cold Packs supporters show how to encourage your team in adverse weather conditions
Skip they are American Nuff Said!!!!
Generally speaking you aren’t learning much if your lips are moving!!!
It makes me wonder if Baxter was doing enough on the field to keep warm ...mmmmmmm
Baxter doesn't like the cold. He worries the hinge in his back will seize up![]()
Posted via space
Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
Don't play in Canberra. Problem solved.
No bruising but plenty of snow burn!
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Melbourne has a much nicer climate than Canberra...Brumbies should move down there and take the Wallaby test with them...
Also - why is the media suddenly interviewing big Al all the time...he is being very chatty atm
coz Stone Cold says so
Warming him up for his retirement speach.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.