The Wallabies have their best chance in over 20 years to taste Bledisloe Cup success, but organisers have faced criticism over a scheduling decision that will prevent millions of Australians from watching the match.
The prized trans-Tasman Cup has been in New Zealand’s keeping for 23 years. Australia requires a win in Auckland on Saturday and at least a draw in Perth in a fortnight to wrest it back. Eden Park has long been a graveyard for visiting Wallabies teams, who have not won there since 1986. The All Blacks also hold a 51-Test unbeaten record at Eden Park against all opponents.
However, after breaking an even longer drought with their Rugby Championship victory at Ellis Park in Johannesburg earlier this year, the Australians believe this could finally be their time.
New Zealand, meanwhile, enter the Test following a record 43-10 loss to South Africa in Wellington earlier this month, adding pressure on coach Scott Robertson. This sets up a tantalising clash at Eden Park.
The match, however, has been scheduled to kick off at 5:05 pm — right in the middle of the AFL Grand Final. This overlap has sparked backlash from fans.
New Zealand rugby fan Mark Philpott, who runs the social media channels Inside Rugby With Mark, harshly criticised the decision. “Lesson 101 on how NOT to promote rugby in Australia,” he posted.
One footy fan wrote, “What absolute twit scheduled the Bledisloe and the AFL GF at the same time today?” Another fan page added, “NZ Rugby scheduling the Bledisloe at the same time as the AFL GF is one of the worst scheduling decisions I’ve seen.”
Comedian Tim Hewitt posted tongue-in-cheek, “Can’t wait to ask the pub in Melbourne if they can swap the AFL Grand Final for the Bledisloe.”
Another fan remarked, “The Bledisloe being on at the same time as the AFL GF is peak rugby union.”
The Bledisloe Cup match also doubles as a Rugby Championship fixture. The Wallabies currently lead the four-nations tournament narrowly, with two rounds remaining.
Coach Joe Schmidt said the Wallabies would prioritise the Bledisloe Cup over the Rugby Championship trophy, which Australia last claimed 10 years ago.
“I think if you gave them a choice, the Wallabies would take the Bledisloe over the Rugby Championship,” Schmidt said. “Just the tradition of it; it’s older and more ingrained than the more modern Rugby Championship, as much as they certainly want to go after that and they’re in a good position to do it.”
Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson says his team is excited rather than daunted by the challenge of winning the Bledisloe Cup with a history-making victory at Eden Park.
“I think if we can get the job done, it will be massive for us,” Wilson said. “It’s something which really excites us — history against us. There’s a lot of belief that we can do it and it’s going to be an almighty challenge, which is something we can’t wait for.”
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