Hong Kong set to keep Bledisloe Cup

Richie McCaw of the All Blacks holds up the Bledisloe Cup in Christchurch last month. Photo: Getty Images

The New Zealand Rugby Union doesn't want to play party-pooper, but it has all but kiboshed any prospect of next month's fourth Bledisloe being moved to Christchurch as an earthquake relief fund-raiser.

With the now traditional end-of-year tour opener in Hong Kong being cast into doubt because of poor ticket sales, some have suggested that the All Blacks and Wallabies should play the match at AMI Stadium, with proceeds going to the city's rebuilding fund.

Even All Blacks captain Richie McCaw had to admit he liked the sound of that idea.

"That would save a bit on travel, wouldn't it," he said ahead of last night's Tri Nations finale against the Wallabies. "But if they came up with an idea like that we'd definitely support it."

Another option being touted has been to play the fixture at Twickenham where it's thought the match would draw a large crowd of London-based antipodeans. It's understood the NZRU has already held talks with the ground's operators on the feasibility of a late switch.

However, it's unlikely that either option will become a reality, with both the New Zealand and Australian unions committed to Hong Kong and determined to get the match over the line.

It's hoped recent publicity around the match will drive ticket-sales, said to be under 10,000 less than two months out from the October 31 fixture, and Hong Kong organisers have told the NZRU and ARU they remain confident they can fill the 40,000-capacity ground.

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew was not keen to rain on any parade around pitching in to the fundraising effort to aid the earthquake-ravaged Canterbury region, but he admitted the concept of playing a relief match in Christchurch had some flaws in it.

Their thinking is that the last thing the citizens of Christchurch need now is to be asked to dig into their pockets to pay for a rugby match. The feeling is the city needs to get on with its primary task of rebuilding, and doesn't need distractions.

Another element working against the concept is that both the New Zealand and Australian unions budget for, and rely on, banking a profit out of the fourth Bledisloe. To essentially play the game for free would require a major mindshift.

However Tew said the NZRU hadn't ruled out getting involved in the relief effort in some way and would consider how they might go about that once the Tri Nations was concluded this weekend.

It's also understood that the NZRU's discussions around Twickenham – which is still the plan B should Hong Kong be abandoned – had also opened their eyes to the sort of return that can be banked from a full house there.

Ad Feedback It confirmed their long-held belief that the All Blacks are nothing more than a cash-cow for the Home Unions on their November tours there.

Meanwhile, a story in the Sydney media this week floating the prospect of a British Lions-style Anzacs team being put together for matches, or even a tour to the north, appears to be based more on hope than foundation.

Tew admitted the concept had some merit but pointed out that the calendar was already crowded and fitting in another fixture, or fixtures, was problematic.

The Sydney newspaper report said the ARU had discussed the concept behind closed doors but had yet to raise it with their trans-Tasman counterparts.

The thinking was the Lions-style combined lineup would draw huge audiences and interest in the northern hemisphere and would net massive financial returns for the unions involved.