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Growing calls for three-match North vs South series after high quality thriller in Wellington
By Online Editors
The South's last gasp thrilling win over the North Island at Sky Stadium in Wellington has led calls for the rep fixture to be expanded into a three match series by players and fans alike.
Speaking to media in the post-match press conference, Hurricanes flanker Ardie Savea said he wished it was a three match series with the chance to avenge the 38-35 loss, to provide New Zealand Rugby's answer to Rugby League's State of Origin series.
"I wish it was a three game series. Hopefully, whoever is in charge can make this game happen every year and turn it into a State of O [Origin] series," he said.
"Pretty gutted about the loss, it would have been awesome to play again next week and redeem ourselves."
Ardie Savea's sentiment was shared by former All Black teammate Lima Sopoaga who said 'surely' it will be made into a series after a 'hell of a game'. Fans also joined the chorus of those wanting more.
With New Zealand's best talent on show, the two sides provided a thrilling back-and-forth contest in a high-scoring game filled with audacious skills and fast-paced action. It is believed the clash would have sold out if crowds were allowed entry, offering an enticing proposition for NZR going forward.
The contest appealed to rugby fans overseas, with those in the UK praising the game for the spectacle of skills on show.
With the future of SANZAAR Rugby up in the air and reports that Super Rugby Aotearoa will return in 2021, a three-match annual series for North vs South could be the answer to fill a calendar that will be short of test rugby without The Rugby Championship able to take place in its full form.
The All Blacks are due to announce a test squad at 11am Sunday NZST for a yet-to-be confirmed four-match Bledisloe series with the Wallabies, however, if that becomes complicated then maybe a three match North vs South series will be arranged.
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Latest Comments
Nah, that just needs some more variation. Chip kicks, grubber stabs, all those. Will Jordan showed a pretty good reason why the rush was bad for his link up with BB.
If you have an overlap on a rush defense, they naturally cover out and out and leave a huge gap near the ruck.
It also helps if both teams play the same rules. ARs set the offside line 1m past where the last mans feet were😅
Go to commentsYeah nar, should work for sure. I was just asking why would you do it that way?
It could be achieved by outsourcing all your IP and players to New Zealand, Japan, and America, with a big Super competition between those countries raking it in with all of Australia's best talent to help them at a club level. When there is enough of a following and players coming through internally, and from other international countries (starting out like Australia/without a pro scene), for these high profile clubs to compete without a heavy australian base, then RA could use all the money they'd saved over the decades to turn things around at home and fund 4 super sides of their own that would be good enough to compete.
That sounds like a great model to reset the game in Aus. Take a couple of decades to invest in youth and community networks before trying to become professional again. I just suggest most aussies would be a bit more optimistic they can make it work without the two decades without any pro club rugby bit.
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