NH v SH

I know we have lots of fixtures in the calendar and that the Barbarians now seem to be a shadow of their former self since professionalism (Unlike the Lions) but does anyone think there is room for a 1 Test annually between a team comprised of the Northern Hemisphere v a team comprised from the Southern Hemisphere. Just thinking about this the quality of the teams would be unimaginable and it would be a good showcase to see who could battle it out to be the best. A 3 Test series might be asking too much but maybe in time it could have a similar rivalry that fans enjoy when the Ryder Cup comes round. It's just a thought and hopefully a refreshing discussion away from the mire and toxicity of the RWC.

Unfortunately I don't think there is room without a complete redesign of the seasons in both NH and SH, and probably the introduction of a global season.

It would be good fun (if a little one sided frankly!), but the lack of coaching time that would be available for the sides would also impact the fixture.

I'm thinking it could replace the AI's to some extent with the AI's being used to develop other players within a nations squad - I know its a big ask but if you don't ask?

Such a game would be a pointless exercise in an all ready over crowded international calendar.

Although it seem like a good idea. What exactly would it achieve? If you have 2 teams 1 NH v 1 SH no paticular team would be out winner....simply because there will be different player from differefent teams.


Plus who would the coaches be? plus how would they be able to fit it in, in an over crowded season?

The idea seems good, but me think's it is a no, no, because of loss of revenue for the TV company/s.

So basically Wales and Gatland plus an Irishman, an Italian, a Frenchman, an Englishman and a Half a Scot? ................ all waterboys

SecretFly wrote:So basically Wales and Gatland plus an Irishman, an Italian, a Frenchman, an Englishman and a Half a Scot? ................ all waterboys

Just like last lions test. eh fly.

Realistically, there'd have to be quotas to divide up each team roughly equally between the Nations involved from both Hemispheres. There'd be nothing to be gained from a team of mostly Irish or mostly Welsh or mostly English or mostly Frenchmen pretending they represent the rest of us against a SH side made up of Kiwis pretending they represent their Hemisphere.

Too many selection battles and feelings of being left out and not feeling genuinely represented. Quotas - even if it means a lessening of perceived quality.

SecretFly wrote:Realistically, there'd have to be quotas to divide up each team roughly equally between the Nations involved from both Hemispheres.  There'd be nothing to be gained from a team of mostly Irish or mostly Welsh or mostly English or mostly Frenchmen pretending they represent the rest of us against a SH side made up of Kiwis pretending they represent their Hemisphere.

Too many selection battles and feelings of being left out and not feeling genuinely represented.  Quotas - even if it means a lessening of perceived quality.

Probably quite true... if held in Paris and their are only 2 frenchman in the lineup don't expect large crowds to turn up.

The reason why it won't happen is injuries. NH teams will simply not allow all-star games because they have more to lose than to gain.

Rubyguby, how about this suggested series every four years in place of the Lions tour, hosted alternative cycles in the NH and SH

Biltong wrote:Rubyguby, how about this suggested series every four years in place of the Lions tour, hosted alternative cycles in the NH and SH

I'm open to any permutation and again see the Ryder Cup as a template - I'm also thinking of the opportunities for players such as the future Parrise's, Gorgodze's etc. The AI's tend to be a bit of a drone for me in all honesty and the games I'm suggesting would not take a significant amount from each team. The game/s however would have to be meaningful and not a Barbarianesque showboating exercise which I can't stand. You have to start somewhere.

The NH side would be utterly humiliated and players would get broken.

I can't see fans of either hemisphere getting behind it. I'd much rather see something like the Churchill Cup being brought back. The Barbarians and Lions need to be disbanded too. The former is on its last legs anyway.

I would prefer fewer games to be honest. Make them special.

in the NH we should have the 6 nations (5 games)

An AI series against one of the big SH teams (3 games against one team) with one warm up against a tier 2 side (e.g. Georgia) (1 more game)

Summer tour against SH team (3 games against one team)

That's 12 games a year. Which is more than enough. During the summer tour the Saxons should be going and playing against tier 2 nations.

In a world cup year we don't have the autumn internationals and in a Lions year the summer tour is a development tour. This is close to what we have with slightly fewer games in each window (I think) and with the Autumn and Summer games being against one team in a proper series.

Then we just need to cut down the domestic game a bit and we will be sorted...

So basically, the Lions (plus some french players) vs the All Blacks

Oh I don't know...beginning to get the shivers about this one Ruby!!  Ryder Cup is all bloody Disneyesque schmaltz with the Golfers wives and girlfriend's even wearing 'uniform' twin outfits too...

The Ryder Cup makes me green with embarrassment at all the affected fistpumping and star-spangled reality-TV pretend-reality rivalry ... all done to keep the American advert watchers interested.  Yeah, man!!!!  High Fives!!!!!  High Fives!!!!! You did it, baby!!!

No.  Let's stick with the muck and dirt of Murrayfield on a cold February afternoon during the 6N.

screamingaddabs wrote:I would prefer fewer games to be honest.  Make them special.

in the NH we should have the 6 nations (5 games)

An AI series against one of the big SH teams (3 games against one team) with one warm up against a tier 2 side (e.g. Georgia) (1 more game)

Summer tour against SH team (3 games against one team)

That's 12 games a year.  Which is more than enough.  During the summer tour the Saxons should be going and playing against tier 2 nations.

In a world cup year we don't have the autumn internationals and in a Lions year the summer tour is a development tour.  This is close to what we have with slightly fewer games in each window (I think) and with the Autumn and Summer games being against one team in a proper series.

Then we just need to cut down the domestic game a bit and we will be sorted...

I like that, South Africa generally only plays 12 tests a year anyway.

a series of 3 games every 4 years in a neutral venue (japan, US, hong kong) might work, however since it would be a new feature with new teams it will be hard to sell to TVs, ad companies and the general public.

For fun - A hybrid.  

Bowl with Nations inserted:  NZ, SA, AUS, ENG, ARG, IRL, WAL, FRA, SCOT, ITL, JAP, GEORGA
Drawn into four bowls.  Each bowl representing a combined team that would then play from a virtual semi-final starting point.  Two games played and the winners of each game go on to a final

Total chance decides which Nations combine - no seeding involved.  A feeling of common purpose develops between Nations of the South and North, some bizarre and fun match ups likely to occur, and everyone has a fun time rooting for their boys through the rugby watching world.

Every four years - replacing Lions.  Lions too exclusive a brand with the same old partners constantly bickering with each other like a bunch of old men playing bingo.

Biltong wrote:

screamingaddabs wrote:I would prefer fewer games to be honest.  Make them special.

in the NH we should have the 6 nations (5 games)

An AI series against one of the big SH teams (3 games against one team) with one warm up against a tier 2 side (e.g. Georgia) (1 more game)

Summer tour against SH team (3 games against one team)

That's 12 games a year.  Which is more than enough.  During the summer tour the Saxons should be going and playing against tier 2 nations.

In a world cup year we don't have the autumn internationals and in a Lions year the summer tour is a development tour.  This is close to what we have with slightly fewer games in each window (I think) and with the Autumn and Summer games being against one team in a proper series.

Then we just need to cut down the domestic game a bit and we will be sorted...

I like that, South Africa generally only plays 12 tests a year anyway.

The big thing for me is making tests against SA, Aus, and NZ really seem like big events, with proper series against them too. We do this occasionally, I'd like to see it done more often.

screamingaddabs wrote:

Biltong wrote:

screamingaddabs wrote:I would prefer fewer games to be honest.  Make them special.

in the NH we should have the 6 nations (5 games)

An AI series against one of the big SH teams (3 games against one team) with one warm up against a tier 2 side (e.g. Georgia) (1 more game)

Summer tour against SH team (3 games against one team)

That's 12 games a year.  Which is more than enough.  During the summer tour the Saxons should be going and playing against tier 2 nations.

In a world cup year we don't have the autumn internationals and in a Lions year the summer tour is a development tour.  This is close to what we have with slightly fewer games in each window (I think) and with the Autumn and Summer games being against one team in a proper series.

Then we just need to cut down the domestic game a bit and we will be sorted...

I like that, South Africa generally only plays 12 tests a year anyway.

The big thing for me is making tests against SA, Aus, and NZ really seem like big events, with proper series against them too.  We do this occasionally, I'd like to see it done more often.

Yeah, I have always preferred test series instead of one off tests.

In a test series you need to work hard to win a series, where in a one off tests anyone can win.

Also nations seem to take a series more serious than a one off test.

It is however vital that players are available to ensure the best squads possible.

I think these half arsed tours with second string teams have damaged the status of test rugby.

Biltong wrote:

screamingaddabs wrote:

Biltong wrote:

screamingaddabs wrote:I would prefer fewer games to be honest.  Make them special.

in the NH we should have the 6 nations (5 games)

An AI series against one of the big SH teams (3 games against one team) with one warm up against a tier 2 side (e.g. Georgia) (1 more game)

Summer tour against SH team (3 games against one team)

That's 12 games a year.  Which is more than enough.  During the summer tour the Saxons should be going and playing against tier 2 nations.

In a world cup year we don't have the autumn internationals and in a Lions year the summer tour is a development tour.  This is close to what we have with slightly fewer games in each window (I think) and with the Autumn and Summer games being against one team in a proper series.

Then we just need to cut down the domestic game a bit and we will be sorted...

I like that, South Africa generally only plays 12 tests a year anyway.

The big thing for me is making tests against SA, Aus, and NZ really seem like big events, with proper series against them too.  We do this occasionally, I'd like to see it done more often.

Yeah, I have always preferred test series instead of one off tests.

In a test series you need to work hard to win a series, where in a one off tests anyone can win.

Also nations seem to take a series more serious than a one off test.

It is however vital that players are available to ensure the best squads possible.

I think these half arsed tours with second string teams have damaged the status of test rugby.

Aye, but the only way to sort it properly is for a completely redesigned season in the NH, and possibly a global season (though I am not sure how I feel about that...). I don't know if the SH season needs to be sorted.

Admit it, when club gets going again big time in the next few months, the cry will be "NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!" not more Internationals or silly Lions style link ups!!!
"Our club boys play enough rugby as it is and we need them to concentrate to get to the bloody final; and International is shyte anyway and should be overtaken by a NH/SH club super-league!!! More League - less International!"

Oh what fickle fecks yis all are

Awful idea, no thanks.

Your all being so realistic, it sounds like a great fun idea on the surface and I'm happy to leave my realism there...

Imagine a team of...

1. Healy
2. Ghiraldini
3. Cole
4. AWJ
5. Jonny Gray
6. Warburton
7. Dussatouir
8. Picamoles
9. Murray
10. Biggar
11. North
12. Roberts
13. Fofana
14. Watson
15. Hogg

Off the top of my head BTW

Wouldn't want to see this suggestion ever. Unecessary.

Just as well Kenya are rubbish now or it could have really complicated matters.

For gawds sake the players need less tests, not more. Unless you make it for A sides.

Fanster wrote:Your all being so realistic, it sounds like a great fun idea on the surface and I'm happy to leave my realism there...

Imagine a team of...

1. Healy
2. Ghiraldini
3. Cole
4. AWJ
5. Jonny Gray
6. Warburton
7. Dussatouir
8. Picamoles
9. Murray
10. Biggar
11. North
12. Roberts
13. Fofana
14. Watson
15. Hogg

Off the top of my head BTW

15. Hogg - You really couldn't of come up with a better full back than that?
Try any other European 6 nations full back.