One percenters: Is Adelaide next stop on Bledisloe Cup trail?

Sun, Aug 11, 2019, 10:00 AM
AAP
by AAP
Could a Bledisloe Cup match be held in Adelaide? Photo: Rugby.com.au/Stuart Walmsley
Could a Bledisloe Cup match be held in Adelaide? Photo: Rugby.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

For obvious reasons, the Wallabies would be more than happy to play every week in Perth but it appears Adelaide Oval may be a new stop on the Bledisloe Cup trail.

The refurbishment of ANZ Stadium has seen Rugby Australia take the biggest match of the year on the road in the next few years.

While it looks like Melbourne could hosts a game next year, an historic game at Adelaide Oval could be on the cards for 2021.

It’s understood the South Australian government are very keen and are in talks with Rugby Australia to strike a deal.

Adelaide Oval usually plays host to the AFL but could it be a Bledisloe Cup ground in 2021? Photo: Getty Images

The huge success of the Bledisloe Cup in Perth means it’s worth plenty to state governments on the hunt to bring major events into their city.

Of the record 61,241 crowd at Optus Stadium – the highest sports crowd ever at the shiny new venue – over 10,000 were visitors from interstate or overseas.

That figure was proudly touted by WA Minister for Tourism Paul Papalia at a Wallaroos press conference during the week in Perth, where he kept up the proud tradition of pollies stuffing up team names.

He wished the Wallaroos all the best against the Silver Ferns, who are a very good New Zealand team. In netball.

Adelaide is reportedly interested in hosting a Bledisloe Cup match in 2021. Photo: Rugby.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

Bledisloe win a hit on TV 

The Wallabies and All Blacks Test did good numbers as far as TV ratings go, as well.

Network Ten had 554, 000 viewers and FoxSports got 248,000 for a healthy total of 802,000.

Wallabies and Wallaroos cross paths

A meeting of minds - or should that be locomotives - when the Wallabies and Wallaroos crossed paths in Perth ahead of their respective clashes against New Zealand last week.

Wallaroos forward Eva Karpani and Wallabies centre Tevita Kuridrani both go by the nickname "K Train".

If you know you know

A post shared by Eva (@eva.karp) on

 

So they naturally got together to pose for picture Karpani posted to her Instagram page ahead of Saturday's matches.

And the pair could keep crossing paths, with Kuridrani having re-signed with the Brumbies for the 2020 season and not joining the exodus of talent from Australia.

Karpani, meanwhile, is in such demand she may have to juggle Wallaroos and sevens duty such is her versatility - a rare attribute for a tighthead prop.

Wallabies and Wallaroos cross paths II  

That wasn't the only Perth meeting either.

Wallaroos halfback Georgia Cormick posted a picture of herself with Wallabies squad member Rob Valetini in the West on Wednesday - along with another photo taken much longer ago.

 

The pair go way back, having been teammates in the U8s at Harlequins in Melbourne, where Cormick looked a tad taller than her young mate.

That's certainly not the case now, with the 193cm, 113kg Valetini towering over Cormick, who 157cm, or just over five-foot-one in the old language.

"Tomorrow" has silver lining for Wallabies  

Since the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the Wallabies have had a tradition of playing a loud and bracing blast of music as they do warm-up drills at their Friday captain’s run.

It was started by Stephen Larkham and at the World Cup, the Wallabies played AC/DC’s Thunderstruck before every game. In recent years the tune changed each Test.

 

But perhaps in a bid to re-discover the magic of their 2015 run, the Wallabies have gone back to one song. Before every Test this year it’s been “Tomorrow” by Silverchair.

Two wins from three Tests? Sold. Keep it rolling.

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