The Australian Rugby Union has given the green light for the Wallabies to take the field in the Global Tens tournament in Brisbane after doubt was cast over the participation of All Blacks players in the inaugural event.
Israel Dagg was on hand for the launch of the concept late last year, along with Wallaby Israel Folau. And while Folau has been confirmed for the two days of 10-man rugby over February 11-12 at Suncorp Stadium, Dagg may still have some hurdles to jump if he's to line up for the Crusaders.
More Sports HQ Videos
- Video duration
- 02:00
Plays of the Week
Plays of the Week
Nick Kyrgios meltdowns, stunning free kicks and clutch NFL plays, these are the most exciting, silly and downright crazy plays in the sporting world this week.
Up Next
Australian Open 2017: Federer beats Wawrinka
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Australian Open 2017: Federer beats ...
Australian Open 2017: Federer beats Wawrinka
Roger Federer survived a stirring comeback and five-set challenge against Swiss countryman Stan Wawrinka to take a giant leap into his first Australian Open final since 2010.
Up Next
Williams sisters to meet in Open final
- Video duration
- 01:24
- Video duration
- 01:24
Williams sisters to meet in Open final
Williams sisters to meet in Open final
Serena Williams and Venus Williams will meet in the 2017 Australian Open Final after defeating Mirjana Lucic-Baroni and Coco Vandeweghe respectively.
Up Next
Sydney take honours in top two clash
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Sydney take honours in top two clash
Sydney take honours in top two clash
Sydney FC extended their lead of the A-League to 11 competition points after out-gunning Melbourne Victory 2-1 in a fierce Australia Day battle at Etihad Stadium.
Up Next
Warner and Head set up big Australia Day win
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Warner and Head set up big Australia Day ...
Warner and Head set up big Australia Day win
David Warner’s fastest ODI century and a maiden ton by Travis Head set the platform for for a 57 run win over Pakistan.
Up Next
Akil Mitchell suffers horrific eye injury
- Video duration
- 00:55
- Video duration
- 00:55
Akil Mitchell suffers horrific eye injury
Akil Mitchell suffers horrific eye injury
The New Zealand Breakers forward's eye appeared to have been partially dislodged in an accidental clash with a Cairns Taipans player.
Up Next
How did Eddie get his black eye?
- Video duration
- 00:39
- Video duration
- 00:39
How did Eddie get his black eye?
How did Eddie get his black eye?
Coach of England’s national rugby union team Eddie Jones has given two potentially conflicting explanations for his injured eye.
Up Next
Sixers through to grand final
- Video duration
- 01:31
- Video duration
- 01:31
Sixers through to grand final
Sixers through to grand final
The Sydney Sixers beat the Brisbane Heat after a thrilling finish.
Plays of the Week
Nick Kyrgios meltdowns, stunning free kicks and clutch NFL plays, these are the most exciting, silly and downright crazy plays in the sporting world this week.
Reports from New Zealand suggested the Kiwi franchises playing in the tournament would be gutted after being advised by their players' association not to consider any All Blacks for selection.
Under the collective bargaining agreement, NZ Rugby will be obliged to give its players a 12-week break from rugby, with the Tens falling too close to the French Test on November 27 to enable them to compete.
Related Content
Duco Events, which runs the event, remains confident the impasse can be overcome and said it was continuing its negotiations with NZ Rugby.Â
"We have received the provisional squads from competing teams and can confirm that those submitted by the New Zealand Super clubs contain 10 players who participated in last year's All Blacks end-of-season European tour – including the tournament's contracted ambassadors," it said.
Â
"These players have indicated a strong desire to play in the tournament, and their Super Rugby clubs have selected them. These selections are now subject to ratification by New Zealand Rugby. We are negotiating with New Zealand Rugby in good faith to confirm these selections."
Twenty Wallabies were among the provisional squads submitted to Duco and the presence of those players will be down to the various Super Rugby coaches. Not all may play but those selections will also be based along trial needs and suitability for the shortened version of the game.
Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau are the two Duco-contracted players and are guaranteed to start, while Reds coach Nick Stiles will use the Tens as an extended trial, given Queensland are booked in for only one official pre-season hit-out.
"Stilesy has said that he is going to use the Tens as a pre-season trial, so anyone that gets a chance to play at that tournament will be using it to prove their worth for the team," Reds back-rower Leroy Houston told redsrugby.com.au.
"If I get the chance, I'm definitely going to use it to push my name forward to get a spot in the match-day 23."
All 10 Australian and NZ Super Rugby franchises are booked in for the event, which is rugby's version of rugby league's successful Auckland Nines, which will be held in a fortnight.
French club Toulon, Japan's Panasonic Wild Knights, South Africa's Blue Bulls and the Samoan national team will also make the trip to Queensland for the event.
Â
0 comments
New User? Sign up