Bledisloe Cup Tests return to the MCG

Melbourne will host Bledisloe Cup Tests between the Australian Wallabies and the All Blacks in 2007 and 2010, with Test matches also guaranteed for the city in 2008 and 2009.

Victorian Premier Steve Bracks, Australian Rugby Union Chairman Ron Graham and Victorian Rugby Union President Gary Gray were joined by Wallaby Rocky Elsom to make the announcement at the MCG today.

The ARU has joined forces with the Victorian Government to return the Bledisloe Cup to Melbourne after the MCG last hosted the event in 1997 and 1998.

Next year’s Bledisloe Cup has been confirmed at the MCG, while venues for the 2008-2010 Tests are yet to be confirmed.

ARU CEO Gary Flowers thanked the Victorian Government for their support of Rugby in the state, which includes targeted funding for grassroots rugby programs.

“A Bledisloe Cup Test is one of the biggest events on the Australian sporting calendar, up there with the Melbourne Cup and the AFL Grand Final,” Mr Flowers said.

“There could be no better way of showcasing our game in Victoria than having 100,000 people at the MCG witnessing the Wallabies take on our greatest rivals.

“This match will attract thousands of inbound tourists from around Australia and across the Tasman.

“The Bledisloe Cup Test created an estimated $60 million boost for the Victorian economy when we brought it here in 1997.

“The Victorian Government should be applauded for the vision and commitment they have shown to Rugby.

“Their support includes funding for the Victorian Rugby Union to run local community Rugby programmes to increase participation in the game, which is a real sign of their commitment to the game.

Premier Bracks said the decision reinforced Victoria’s reputation as the sporting capital.

“When the Wallabies take on the All Blacks at the mighty MCG next year, sports fans across the world will tune in,” Mr Bracks said.

“Victoria is the sporting capital of Australia, if not the world, and this rugby union package is a great addition to our busy major events calendar.

Rugby is growing in popularity and this deal will be welcome news for thousands of Victorians."

Gary Flowers said the decision to take the Bledisloe Cup back to Victoria was a major strategic decision.

“Sydney enjoyed seven straight years of Bledisloe Cups from 1999 to 2005, before we took the match to Brisbane this year for the first time in ten years.

“The Wallabies are our national winter team so it is important that we share their biggest Tests with as many Australians as possible.

“Victoria is one of Australia’s largest markets, and it is one of Rugby’s highest strategic priorities to grow the game in the state.

“We have been bringing regular Test matches to Melbourne since 1994, and next year we will have Victoria taking their rightful place in a new national competition.”

“We confirmed a good hiring agreement with Telstra Stadium earlier this year which has guaranteed Sydneysiders two Wallaby Tests each year against the world’s leading Rugby nations, including three Bledisloe Cups up to and including 2010.”

“Brisbane fans should also be comforted by the fact that they will not have to wait another ten years for the Bledisloe Cup to return.

“The festival of Rugby that was created by the two Tests in Brisbane this year proved that Queenslanders have a big appetite for Test Rugby and we are currently looking at the options for 2008 and 2011.”

Being a World Cup year, next year’s Tri Nations will be a six-Test series which means Australia and New Zealand will host one Bledisloe Cup Test each.

However the competition will expand again in 2008 when Australia will host two Bledisloe Cup Tests.