One Percenters: Could Allianz have another Waratahs farewell?

Sun, Jul 22, 2018, 10:21 AM
AAP
by AAP
Could Allianz host another Waratahs game? Photo: Getty Images
Could Allianz host another Waratahs game? Photo: Getty Images

To rally from 17 down and defeat the Highlanders in a quarter-final, the Waratahs turned off the lights in a fitting fashion at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

It was a memorable way to say goodbye to the venue, as she stands, in the Waratahs' 144th and last game at thd old SFS.

Unless there is one more.

No-one will say it out loud just yet but you have to plan for everything these days, and if the two away teams - the Waratahs and the Hurricanes - both win in the semi-finals next weekend, the Waratahs will get one more home game.

And it'd be the final.

The Waratahs would be the highest ranking survivor after finishing in third.

Sound crazy? Just a bit. Sound likely? Nope. Is it possible? Of course.

So as they have to do, Waratahs officials are quietly mapping out how they'd host a final and where it would be.

The Waratahs have a contract with the SCG Trust and could observe it and play the final at Allianz Stadium.


With Allianz due to be knocked down and re-built over the next three years, that would definitely be the last game for the Tahs.

But there would also be the possibility a deal is made to move the final ANZ Stadium, to accomodate a bigger crowd than the 42,000-seat Allianz could fit.

That's what happened in 2014, and it paid off for NSW Rugby. A record 64,000 people crammed in and it was a tidy windfall for the union.

Only 12,067 people turned up for the quarter-final though, and given there is a semi-final in Johannesburg this weekend, Allianz Stadium may be still the best option.

Did we mention all this talk of a final is a few carts before the horse, with a semi-final still to be won in Johannesburg by NSW to even make the final?

Only 10 teams, in 39 attempts, have ever flown across the Indian Ocean and then won a Super Rugby playoff.

Americans adjust to rugby rules

The Rugby World Cup Sevens crowd had to adjust to more than just the try-scoring process. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyYou'd expect some culture shock from players and teams heading over to the USA for the Rugby World Cup Sevens, but locals had to adjust to a rugby rule during the tournament.

AT&T Park is usually a baseball stadium and any fans that catch balls hit out of the park are able to take it home as a keepsake.

Not so at the Rugby World Cup Sevens.

World Rugby has gone to the lengths of appointing staff to beg for the balls back from fans when they venture into the stands to ensure they are all returned safely.

Certainly can't say the administrators haven't thought of everything.

Cherry looking to 2020

Emilee Cherry was influential against Spain. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyAussie Sevens star Charlotte Caslick recently confirmed her commitment to rugby and her long-time teammate Emilee Cherry looks likely to follow her in committing to the 2020 Olympics.

Cherry spoke to RUGBY.com.au ahead of the Rugby World Cup Sevens, saying she will 'obviously commit' to two more years with the team.

A big tick for the direction of the team heading into the Olympic countdown.

Cheika wants to see Toomua return

Matt Toomua will debut for Leicester this weekend. Photo: Getty ImagesThe rumours that Matt Toomua is returning to Australia won't go away and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika admitted last week that discussions were in the works to try and bring the centre home.

"We are keen for him to come home but we’re not quite sure when that is going to be," he said.

Black Ferns name Bledisloe squad

The Black Ferns have named the players they'll be calling on to take on the Wallaroos next month, in the Bledisloe Cup double headers.

There are no real surprises in the squad, with the majority coming from the professional contract list named earlier this year.

SQUAD

Black Ferns squad for Wallaroos

Forwards

Eloise Blackwell (32)

Les Elder (nee Ketu) (9)

Fiao'o Faamausili (52) (captain)

Aldora Itunu (15)

Linda Itunu (35)

Pip Love (2)

Charmaine McMenamin (14)

Aleisha Nelson (26)

Joanah Ngan-Woo 

Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (20)

Marcelle Parkes 

Jackie Patea-Fereti (12)

Leilani Perese 

Aroha Savage (28)

Charmaine Smith (16)

Cristo Tofa

Backs

Chelsea Alley (15)

Kendra Cocksedge (42) (vc)

Krysten Cottrell 

Kiritapu Demant (2)

Ruahei Demant 

Theresa Fitzpatrick (7)

Alena Saili

Kristina Sue (10)

Monica Tagoai

Stacey Waaka (11)

Renee Wickliffe (30)

Selica Winiata (31) (vc)

Force to face country players

The Western Force have added another match to their 2018 schedule and they're opening up the invitation.

They will take on the Australian Stockman in a friendly game on August 25 and the Stockman are asking any club players with a country background to submit their rugby resumes.

Go to Australian Stockman Rugby Union on Facebook to find out more.

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