The All Blacks’ Bledisloe Cup dates may have been accidentally leaked online, according to a report.An NZME report said that broadcast partner Sky Sport released a tweet promoting upcoming rugby All blacks vs Wallabies Live on the channel.The tweet included dates for Super Rugby Aotearoa and Australian Super Rugby competitions, which had games confirmed, however at the bottom it included dates for four Bledisloe Cup tests between the All Blacks and the Wallabies.
The dates were October 10 and 17, and November 1 and 8, NZME reported. The tweet was deleted.The All Blacks’ Bledisloe Cup schedule may have just been accidentally released by broadcast partner Sky Sport.In a tweet promoting the upcoming rugby to be broadcast on the sports channel, Sky Sport included dates for the Super Rugby Aotearoa and Australian Super Rugby competitions, as well as the provincial Mitre 10 Cup and North v South clash – all competitions which have had their fixtures confirmed.
However, at the bottom of the graphic, they also included dates for four Bledisloe Cup tests between the All Blacks and the Wallabies – on October 10 and 17, and November 1 and 8.The tweet was swiftly deleted.It is understood that the first Bledisloe Cup test is tentatively scheduled for October 10 in Wellington as part of a four-test series, but the other dates remained fluid, and none of the matches have confirmed by New Zealand Rugby.
However, if confirmed, the fixtures would likely see the two sides play in Auckland on October 17, while the 15-day gap between the second and third tests would theoretically provide a two-week quarantine period for both sides to relocate to Australia to play the remaining two matches, which would both be held on Sundays.If a trans-Tasman bubble has not been implemented by that point, it is understood that both the All Blacks and Wallabies would likely be granted an exemption not only to enter the country, but also to train while in quarantine, so they could resume the series after two weeks.
Both the New Zealand Warriors NRL side and Wellington Phoenix A-League squad have received similar exemptions to resume their trans-Tasman competitions. The Wallabies would also have to enter New Zealand in late September to prepare for the first test.NZME have contacted NZ Rugby to confirm the schedule’s legitimacy.New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson has confirmed the All Blacks are in talks to play the Kangaroos in a potentially lucrative cross-code clash later this year.
Reports from Australia’s Courier Mail emerged on Thursday stating the All Blacks and Mal Meninga’s Australian rugby league team would meet in a hybrid international following “top-secret negotiations” between New Zealand Rugby and the National Rugby League.
As it stands, the All Blacks are scheduled to play the Wallabies in a four-match Bledisloe Cup series, with the first test pencilled in for October 10 and likely to be staged in Wellington, but this situation remains fluid while borders remain closed.
During a wide-ranging conference call with media on Thursday, Robinson confirmed the Kangaroos match was also on the table.
“The concept of the All Blacks playing the Kangaroos later in the year, we must be very clear that our priority is we want the All Blacks to play international rugby for the remainder of the year and we’ve talked about the uncertainty associated with that,” Robinson said.But absolutely we’ve had the option put to us of this hybrid game with the Kangaroos. It’s one of many different scenarios in a unique year like this that we’re considering, looking to be innovative and having a focus on trying to consider revenue-generating ideas at this time given then financial climate we’re in.”
Three years ago reports suggested the one-off match could generate each team $10 million.The last time New Zealand Rugby had an approach was in 2017 and at that stage for various reasons it wasn’t taken any further. We’re interested in learning more, as we are a whole range of things that are being put to us at the moment.
“We’ll go through the proper process in terms of making a decision if we feel it’s got merit to take it further.”NZR is believed to have claimed $3.6 million for around 500 staff, which includes players, from the government wage subsidy scheme.We are farewelling 25 per cent of our staff,” Robinson said. “It’s fair to say that with rugby resuming the cuts to staff aren’t as harsh as first feared but it’s still incredibly hard to say a goodbye to people who have given a huge amount to the game within our organisation.”
Robinson confirmed NZR is in talks with Rugby Australia about its bid to host the 2027 World Cup. If Australia is successful, New Zealand could potentially host one pool but Robinson is keen to somehow involve the Pacific Islands too.”We’ve been talking to key representatives of Rugby Australia for at least the last 12 to 18 months around this possibility. This is something we’re obviously interested in. No firm decisions have been made. More broadly we see this as an opportunity to be something where the Pacific might be involved.”It would be a huge opportunity to bring the global event back to this part of the world and if New Zealand could be involved in any way it would be hugely exciting. Those conversations will be ongoing.”
