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Thread: Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup clash scuttled by New Zealand Rugby Union

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    Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup clash scuttled by New Zealand Rugby Union

    Iain Payten, Jamie Pandaram
    The Daily Telegraph
    February 27, 2014 9:00PM

    AN ARU proposal to play a Bledisloe Cup match on Anzac Day next year has been scuttled by the New Zealand Rugby Union.

    The ARU put the ambitious plan to their Kiwi counterparts recently, arguing an unprecedented Test match on April 25 between the Wallabies and All Blacks would be the perfect way to commemorate the centenary anniversary of the Gallipoli landing in 1915.

    The proposed location was ANZ Stadium, with the profits to be shared from a historic clash that would have, in all likelihood, been the first sold-out Bledisloe clash in Sydney in many years.

    Given the Bledisloe Cup is regarded as the peak trans-Tasman sporting event, a clash on Anzac Day — which falls on a Saturday next year — could have even overshadowed the NRL’s annual Roosters-Dragons match.

    But given Super Rugby would also be running in April, the difficult logistics of playing a Test match prompted the Kiwis to reject the ARU idea.

    “We’d love the opportunity to play New Zealand in a one-off Test on Anzac Day next year to mark the Anzac Centenary,” ARU boss Bill Pulver said.

    “There are some significant challenges, though, which unfortunately means it’s unlikely to happen. Pulling Wallabies out of their Super Rugby teams midway through the season would be difficult and we’ve already put the idea to New Zealand, but they’ve told us they’re not interested in pursuing it.”

    Asked why, NZRU boss Steve Tew told us via email: “Realistically, we could not see how we could fit an Anzac Day Test match in the middle of the Super Rugby competition. It’s also been our tradition to mark Anzac Day at Super Rugby matches and it is always a special occasion for those teams involved.”

    There have long been calls for trans-Tasman Super Rugby games to be played on Anzac Day, and for the next three years of a Friday, Saturday and Sunday slot, they likely will.

    The Waratahs and Blues play in Auckland and the Brumbies and Chiefs will clash this season on April 25.

    ***

    NEWS of Qantas’ deep financial woes and deeper cost-cutting measures would have sent a shiver up a few dozen spines at the cash-strapped ARU, given the airline is the naming rights sponsor of the Wallabies.

    But the ARU, who has been linked with Qantas since 1990, is believed to be confident their current deal — due to expire at the end of 2015 — will not be affected.

    ***

    IS that you Ray? Our best northern beaches snout tell us the combined Warringah, Manly, Norths and Gordon team in the NRC will be known as the North Harbour Rays, resurrecting the name of the old Central Coast Rays, reigning ARC champions from 2007.

    The Rays will be coached by Phil Blake and are set to play some games at the league mecca on the insular peninsula — Brookvale Oval.

    ***

    TIM Walsh, the successful coach of the Australian women’s seven team, has left the door ajar for a move to the men’s team following the resignation of Michael O’Connor.

    Walsh played sevens for Australia and was previously an assistant to O’Connor, and it is understood he is the preferred option of the current players.

    Asked if O’Connor’s job held appeal, Walsh didn’t rule it out.

    “For anyone with aspirations to coach an Australian team, there are not many better jobs than the Australian (men’s) sevens coach.

    “I have always had aspirations to coach an Australian sevens team. I didn’t think it would be the women’s team. Right now I absolutely love my job and with the girls, we have some unfinished business and a goal towards that Olympics. That’s where I am at the moment.”

    Sources say Fiji’s current sevens coach, Englishman Ben Ryan, is looming as a top candidate.

    ***

    SYDNEY club rugby presidents are currently weighing up a proposal to play one Shute Shield game per round on Sunday, which will be screened live on clubrugbytv.com.au

    The man behind CRTV, John Murray, has drawn up an alternate fixture list that will see two clubs play on a Sunday arvo. A free webcast of the game — funded by sponsors — would then be streamed live on Murray’s site. In the past, CRTV showed a Saturday game but on delay.

    Murray’s idea is believed to already have the support of the ARU, NSWRU, SRU, the ABC and the majority of clubs. And, for what it’s worth, this column as well. The more club rugby exposure the better, and you suspect Sunday afternoon games would be a hit for crowds as well.

    ***

    IT’S no wonder that Christian Lealiifano is one of the well-established leaders of the Brumbies side.

    We spotted him at the Waratahs vs Force game in Sydney last weekend; he’d driven up from Canberra with teammate Fotu Auelua to watch the Brumby Runners development side take on NSW’s Gen Blue in the curtain-raiser at Allianz Stadium in a show of support to the young players.

    They stuck around for the main game to make tactical notes on the Force, who the Brumbies play this weekend.

    The injured duo then drove back to Canberra that afternoon.

    ***

    CHANCES are that the next great female rugby sevens player will emerge from Maroubra Women’s Rugby club, who are doing plenty to develop talent.

    Australian Women’s star Tiana Penitani is one of seven national players to have come through the program set up by coach Sy Lagaaia, and he hopes more of his club’s players will emerge on the world stage when they compete at the IRB’s under-20 Aloha World Sevens in Hawaii.

    The club started last May with 11 players, and now have 70. But more girls and women from under-12s up are encouraged to play, and the club could also use sponsorship. Details: info@maroubrasevens.com

    ***

    OLD Canberra rivalries have had to be set aside with the Brumbies and Raiders currently sharing digs at the AIS.

    The Brumbies’ new headquarters at University of Canberra won’t be ready until May, meaning the two footy teams share a dining room at the AIS.

    A couple of friendships have even been struck up.

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    Considering even rugby league couldn't get the Anzac Day Test to work, you wouldn't have thought an Anzac Day Bledisloe would ever have been a realistic option...

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    a 1 in a 100 year event and they wouldn't do it .. makes me sad

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