Rugby: Traditional tours could revive midweek games

NZ provincial players could once again test themselves against overseas touring teams. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's provincial rugby players could once again test themselves against overseas touring teams after today's announcement that traditional tours are due back on the international calendar.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) council today approved a new global 10-year playing schedule for the run up to Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.

The schedule, which begins in 2012, will lead to more meaningful tests between Sanzar and Six Nations unions during the June window, with teams from the northern and southern hemispheres touring on a rotational basis.

Most years within the schedule will involve a two-or-three-test series against only one visiting nation in June, with midweek matches also set to be incorporated at the agreement of the respective unions, the IRB said in a statement today.

New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chief executive Steve Tew said the new schedule was something the NZRU had been keen to see introduced,

"It's something we've been pushing for for a long time," Tew said today.

"Last year we played France in two tests and ended up one each and unfortunately we didn't have the opportunity to play a decider. But from 2012 onwards, the Northern Hemisphere teams will come down here and play three tests in that window, which we think will be much more attractive and competitive."

However, he said there was no certainty provincial teams would be assured of matches against touring teams.

"With a little bit of luck, we'll be able to negotiate some midweek games so the provinces get the opportunity to play them. Of course, there's no guarantee they're going to agree to that, that's work we'll have to do going forward.

"But it certainly opens up that opportunity."

Tew said the NZRU would be "mindful" of the workload players undertook, especially with the expansion of the Super 14 to 15 teams next year, "but we're working on that now".

The IRB's new 10-year playing schedule would also see more involvement for the Pacific Islands, North America and Japan.

IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said it represented an historic landmark for the game.

"(It) is the culmination of extensive work that kicked off at the Woking Forum in 2007 where the global rugby family committed to finding an appropriate schedule that adds value to the June window, provides the catalyst for the growth of our sport and is acceptable to all major stakeholders.

"The development of a global schedule is not an easy task.

"I would like to thank all the unions for their full collaboration and commitment to drafting a schedule that is in the best interests of the game."

He said specific tours would be announced by the respective unions, as per usual commercial practice.

- NZPA