NH vs SH instead of 3rd vs 4th

[Sam91]

Apparently former Wallabies player Nick Farr Jones has suggested scrapping the 3rd vs 4th game and instead playing a NH vs SH game.

Obviously it would only be viable if it were played after the final. What does everyone think?

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Completely ridiculous. Why get rid of the 3rd/4th place final?

You can add a hemisphere-clash later on but it will never ever happen because there is simply no time on the calendar.

In 2005 they did it to raise charity, but I don't see them doing this on an annual basis

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Ideas like that is why the Aussies should be seen but not heard when it comes to the game of rugby.

 

[Peat]

Ideas like that is why the Aussies should be seen but not heard.

I edited out the unneccesary words.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I don't understand - like get various players from the NH teams that aren't in the final and play them against various players from the SH?
Like NH Baabaas vs SH Baabaas?

Would be pants, imo
Teams would have 0 time together, so would be a clusterf**k

 

[Sam91]

Yes I must admit I thought it was a fairly stupid idea, Don't really understand the premise of not playing the 3rd vs 4th and instead playing a game that has absolutely nothing to do with the world cup. Perhaps playing it as a one off exhibition match at twickenham would be alright, but even then the logistics of it are pretty unreasonable. Having said that, It would be a greatly interesting match to see I am unsure myself of who would actually win?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I can imagine a B&I Lions team + a Frenchie or 2 and Parrisse would be something to behold.

As an aside; the last 4 B&I Lions tours (since SA had been readmitted) have been against current SH holders of the RWC;

- 1997 vs SA (SA current champions)
- 2001 vs Aus (Aus current champions)
- 2005 vs NZ (no SH RWC holder - England of course)
- 2009 vs SA (SA current champions)
- 2013 vs Aus (...?)

That would suggest Aus to win this year which isn't far fetched at all. That or a NH nation.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Well, New Zealand will choke of course, South Africa is not good enough to beat Australia so the Wallabies winning the World Cup is not that weird to say

 

[McTallshort]

one thing strikes about this and I dont think NFJ has thought about it....If you went out in the QF or group stages would you really want to hang around waiting for a pointless game after the final?

Would NZ or Aus have waiting around in France for such a game in 2007?

The answer is no and I wish the Aussies in general would stop trying to turning the sport I love into some sales product

 

[Ostrayian]

You yarpies are lulling us into a elaborate trap as you know us ozzies are easily lead into believing our own hype and then tripping over......sneaky ******** you lot are!

 

[TRF_heineken]

I thought the reason why there is a 3rd/4th place playoff is the reward of bronze medals and automatic qualification for the next world cup to the team coming 3rd???

 

[calculon]

Yes I must admit I thought it was a fairly stupid idea, Don't really understand the premise of not playing the 3rd vs 4th and instead playing a game that has absolutely nothing to do with the world cup. Perhaps playing it as a one off exhibition match at twickenham would be alright, but even then the logistics of it are pretty unreasonable. Having said that, It would be a greatly interesting match to see I am unsure myself of who would actually win?

It's an interesting idea but yeah, it probably wouldn't work.

It's hard to find time in the calendar, but a 3 test playoff between the SH and NH top club teams would be about the limit - to be played in a neutral venue in the Summer (Argentina):

Reds vs. Northampton] -
Leinster vs. Crusaders] - winner 1 v winner 2

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I thought the reason why there is a 3rd/4th place playoff is the reward of bronze medals and automatic qualification for the next world cup to the team coming 3rd???

Ehm, the last time the 3rd place included automatic qualification for the next World Cup was 1995

Nowadays you are automatic qualifiers if you are 3rd in the group stages

 

[TRF_heineken]

My bad!

 

[calculon]

Ehm, the last time the 3rd place included automatic qualification for the next World Cup was 1995

Nowadays you are automatic qualifiers if you are 3rd in the group stages

So as not to tarnish test rugby. The 'other' nations are routinely beaten by the big teams in tests. When they start to at least put up a fight, the qualifying structure will change and become more open. If that ever happens ..

 

[Sam91]

Would there be any none sanzar players in the SH team either?

 

[McTallshort]

depends who hangs around doesn't it. If you take the last world cup for example the best 2 teams from the SH were SA and Argentina as I stated before I doubt Aus or NZ would have hung around after going down in the QF

 

[Sam91]

depends how much they're getting paid probably

 

[McTallshort]

Very true.....