This week we heard reports of New Zealand and South Africa making plans for a return to traditional international rugby tours between the two nations, starting in 2026 and running every four years.
It will see the All Blacks play seven games in the Republic, three Tests and four matches against club sides, before a fourth Test will be played at a neutral venue.
The event itself will solidify their rivalry as rugby’s greatest and only deepen the bond between the two powerhouses while providing a much-needed financial boost to both unions.
This leaves Australia in a precarious position.
Having not won the Bledisloe Cup in 22 years and falling to eighth in the World Rankings, the Wallabies, for now, are no longer being considered an opposition worth playing a large number of Tests against.
The Bledisloe Cup is an example, as we saw a shift from three- to two-game series in recent years.
I personally hope the reported ANZAC Day Test becomes a winner-takes-all Bledisloe Cup game. It adds meaning and hype – and gives us Aussies a chance.
But with NZ threatening to pull out of the Rugby Championship every four years to compete in said tours of South Africa, what will Australia do in that time?
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If we want to keep our spot at the table with the big boys, Australia must lock down a tour of its own.
So where do the Aussies look for a substitute? What pre-existing rivalry can we build off?
Who can provide us with a series that brings the hype rugby so desperately needs in this country?
I’ll let you answer this question. Who does Australia love beating more than anyone across almost every sport?
Think about it.
If you didn’t say England, you might need your citizenship revoked.
Albeit half a world away, the country currently enveloped in Oasis-mania 2.0 is the perfect candidate for Australia to partner with.
Australia’s rivalry with the Poms is at best blockbuster and at worst easy-to-market. Aussies will get behind any side facing England, especially an underdog.
The Red Roses’ tours here are among the most anticipated and selling tickets is a given.
Add the fact that England and Australia historically sit very near each other on the world rankings and you have a rivalry brewing that could change rugby in Australia.
It’s better than the Bledisloe. I guarantee we won’t lose this series 22 years in a row – assuming England doesn’t embark on possibly the greatest run of dominance in international sport.
We will have a genuine, prized trophy we can win on a regular basis.
Following the same format as our SANZAAR colleagues, we would see England face our Super Rugby sides.
Remember the 23,000 people who showed up to watch the Reds play an 11th-ranked Welsh side? Imagine how many would pay to watch Queensland do battle with England. A lot more than 23,000.
Imagine the Wallabies playing seven games against English Premiership sides.
Do we want our players to play more rugby? Here’s an opportunity to add more professional games to the calendar for our fringe Test players.
Samu Kerevi of the Wallabies is tackled during a game against England. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Rugby fans have spoken. They want more traditional tours.
The Aussie rugby community would embrace Rugby’s Ashes with open arms. It would put rugby front of mind.
Sure there’s an issue around broadcast revenue and how willing Stan and Nine would be to pay for three tests played in England. But this is where building a partnership and sharing the revenue would stop any worries.
These tours will be cash cows. Rugby Australia needs this.
One tour every four years. Alternate between the two nations hosting. One tour in Australia every eight years adds a level of prestige to these tours.
Rugby Australia can’t be caught slacking here. The future of the international game is at stake.
Australia are already behind. They need to catch up.
New Zealand and South Africa have acted in their best interests. Now we must act in ours.