Six Nations Champions v Tri Nations Champions

pd101

This seem's like an interesting idea.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12333_3203109,00.html

The winners of the RBS Six Nations could clash in a one-off match with the Tri-Nations champions if a new plan from the International Rugby Board is approved.


The idea will be discussed by the governing body and the leading nations at the Tier One CEOs meeting in Hong Kong on Sunday.

There had previously been talk of running a global competition in between the World Cup, or moving the tournament itself to every two years.

However a match between the northern and southern hemisphere champions could fill the void - and Hong Kong is keen to hold the clash.

The region is already set to host a Test between Australia and New Zealand in the autumn, and Hong Kong Rugby Football Union executive director Allan Payne told the South China Morning Post: "We believe Hong Kong would be an excellent venue for such a game.

"Part of our strategic plan is to look at hosting international matches and it would be a tremendous honour if we were asked to host this match.

"While nothing's been finalised yet, all parties, including the government, have welcomed the idea with great enthusiasm.

"This support should give rugby officials a big boost as they make a play to host the touted global championship."

Any thoughts?

helimachoptor

Its a good idea in principle but NZ will just win each year... unless they choke again!

dc69

not neccesarily,new zealand dont win the tri nations every year and they love rebuilding their teams.It would show the southern hemisphere countries that the northern are catching up with them every year,i dont think the southerners would dominate it tbh,they would prob win most years but it would be close

toomevara

I'd say no, far too much international rugby as it stands....much more interesting would be a club championship play off...Super 14 champs Vs HC winners. We've got something similar in rugby league..this weekend the Superleague champions, Leeds Rhinos play the ARL winners Melbourne Storm at Elland road for the title of world club champions...hugely anticipated match and its been V. successful over the years...

chris85

Brilliant idea, i think this game would be a cracker every year. I like that it is in a neutral country too, adds a bit of a feel of meeting for an almighty battle

It would help our teams to play in this sort of match every year. Will give even more incentive to win th 6N.

One thing is that it mite be just like a world cup every year as between the tri-nations and 6N these are all main teams in the world cup (havent forgotten Argentina, Im hoping they get into one of these tournies soon :rolleyes:). This might slight devalue the RWC.

dc69

chris85 wrote: »

Brilliant idea, i think this game would be a cracker every year. I like that it is in a neutral country too, adds a bit of a feel of meeting for an almighty battle

It would help our teams to play in this sort of match every year. Will give even more incentive to win th 6N.

One thing is that it mite be just like a world cup every year as between the tri-nations and 6N these are all main teams in the world cup (havent forgotten Argentina, Im hoping they get into one of these tournies soon :rolleyes:). This might slight devalue the RWC.

exactly,its basically a world cup every 2 years or 1 years.brilliant

chris85

dc69 wrote: »

exactly,its basically a world cup every 2 years or 1 years.brilliant

Yeah but devaluing the RWC will result in the less well known teams to not want to be in it more as global interest will drop. We dont want this

I do think every two year would be a good thing. It could cycle a year after the RWC and year before. Would be good for keeping a strong team.

Jackz

I like it alot.

phog

When would the match be played? The 6Ns are played in Feb and March while the Tri Nations are played July and August if the match was to be played after the Tri Nations if may cause problems around the Autumn Internationals and the HEC Fixtures.

There'll be a lot of issues to be resolved before we see this competition taking place. I agree with toomevara in that a game between the winner of the HEC and Super 14 might be a better option.

Stev_o

Sounds like more of a money spinner then anything else

themont85

Bit of a money spinner i agree and just a way of making the autumn/summer internationals have more meaning.

vorbis

i presume it could replace an Autumn International. Wouldn't be for ti myself. We already have a world cup. This game has a bit of a mickey mouse feel to it.

Pinetree Boy

I'm also not a big fan of the idea. Not sure it adds anything graet to the international calender and again leaves teams like the Argies and Pac Island teams on the margins. A S14 v HC game has more attraction for me.

I wonder whether there is much in it anyway or whether just stroking the hosts Hong Kong who are keen to get internationals played there. BTW don't know if was reported in Ireland but the NZ and USA unions are talking about possibly holding a test in the USA with Ireland the suggested AB opponent. All part of the attempt to internationalise the game.

Diamondmaker

Does not matter if its the H Cup Vs the S14 or 6N Vs the TN as it is one extra game for a undetermined gropu of players.

Cant say its one too many games for international but ok for the H cup as its all the same.

Either one would be class and a great money spinner! Id love to see them for sure.

Stev_o

Diamondmaker wrote: »

Does not matter if its the H Cup Vs the S14 or 6N Vs the TN as it is one extra game for a undetermined gropu of players.

Cant say its one too many games for international but ok for the H cup as its all the same.

Either one would be class and a great money spinner! Id love to see them for sure.

I dunno i think if it goes ahead it ll have no meaning and then the question of why we have a world cup ever fours years when basically the two best teams in the world play each other each year anyway.


But regardless of that its the time fact people have to take in. Any team that wins the 6N is going to be a completely different team that goes of and plays against the TN winner so then whats the point as they wont be the team they were when they won it . And vice a versa. Its a complete money spinner through and through

Paul Tergat

toomevara wrote: »

I'd say no, far too much international rugby as it stands....much more interesting would be a club championship play off...Super 14 champs Vs HC winners. We've got something similar in rugby league..this weekend the Superleague champions, Leeds Rhinos play the ARL winners Melbourne Storm at Elland road for the title of world club champions...hugely anticipated match and its been V. successful over the years...

yeah it works great in the rugby league format.

we used to see the aussies win this pretty comfortably but over recent years the improvement in the northern hemispere game has meant much closer games with the Super league teams then coming out on top.


I wouldn't be against seeing the TN v 6N winners face off though but don't think that it would be regarded as bigger deal as a normal 6N or TN match.

just my 2c

toomevara

p_larkin99 wrote: »

yeah it works great in the rugby league format.

we used to see the aussies win this pretty comfortably but over recent years the improvement in the northern hemispere game has meant much closer games with the Super league teams then coming out on top.

Yeah the rhinos clear favourites tonight, maybe a shift in the balance of power between the ARL and Super League. We also beat the Rabbitohs pre-season...

Bloody weather atrocious though, hope it clears up by 7:30

Pinetree Boy

p_larkin99 wrote: »

yeah it works great in the rugby league format.

we used to see the aussies win this pretty comfortably but over recent years the improvement in the northern hemispere game has meant much closer games with the Super league teams then coming out on top.


I wouldn't be against seeing the TN v 6N winners face off though but don't think that it would be regarded as bigger deal as a normal 6N or TN match.

just my 2c

This was broadcast live here in NZ and a great game but the reality is that it hardly crosses the radar in Aussie. The Aussie teams play it some 4 months after end of NRL when the main thing on their minds is the new NRL season. If rugby is to do it they need first to sort out the seasons. There has been talk about an intergarted season but seems to be in the too hard basket.