Today’s announcement that the Cardiff Blues will play Australia on November 24th raises one simple question – Do mid-week club vs country games have a future in the professional era?
We all have nostalgic memories of being on packed terraces watching proud clubs go up against touring international teams. In the six games against the Wallabies, Cardiff have never lost against the men from down under but this will be the first game against the Aussies in the professional era and Cardiff Blues’ first game against any international opponents as a regional entity.
In today’s professional era the Autumn Internationals are merely a money spinning series of games. International players are solely with their country during the allotted window and therefore club sides in this case Cardiff will have to field a severely depleted team – especially considering their massive absentee list through injury and illness.
With Australia set to play Scotland two days prior to Cardiff and Wales on the following Saturday the Wallabies will no doubt also field a second string team ultimately leading to a game featuring few top players.
So we’re left with a situation where two teams with such a rich and illustrious tradition will compete in effectively a dead rubber game.
Blues’ director of rugby Bob Norster said : “The opportunity for our team to play international opposition at our new home is one to be relished.”
…and Bob is quite right it is a fantastic opportunity to fill the new stadium but I see this as an unlikely scenario.
There have been cases in the past when touring team matches have produced rousing occasions such as Munster running New Zealand close at Thomond Park last year. But this game, although being potentially a huge money spinner for the Cardiff Blues will see two second string sides competing in a game which betrays the illustrious history between the sides. As well as this Cardiff put on line their impressive 6-0 record in what may turn out to be a relatively meaningless game
There is a future for these sorts of games but in the right circumstances. At the beginning or end of the season, on a Saturday where both teams can field their strongest teams and do the tradition of such fixtures proud.
Mikebrown's Blog 