The announcement of the Rugby World Cup schedule has delivered a surprise twist, with the All Blacks poking fun at their omission from the tournament's opening match in Perth. Instead of the anticipated blockbuster clash between Australia and New Zealand, the Wallabies will kick off their campaign against Hong Kong, the third-lowest-ranked team in the competition.
Social Media Jabs Highlight Fixture Frustration
New Zealand's national rugby team took to social media to express their bemusement at the decision by World Cup organisers. In a now-deleted post, the All Blacks shared a mocked-up graphic promoting a potential showdown with Australia, captioned, "We thought we had the script...". This light-hearted jab seemed to echo the disappointment of many Western Australian rugby union fans, who had hoped for a marquee opener between the traditional rivals.
Perth's World Cup Schedule Unveiled
Optus Stadium in Perth is set to host seven matches throughout the tournament, including four pool games and two round of 16 fixtures. The opening match will see Australia face Hong Kong, with category one tickets priced at $610 and category six tickets at $65 for adults and $30 for children. Pre-sales for these tickets are scheduled to open later this month.
Other notable matches at the venue include New Zealand versus Chile the day after the opener, South Africa against Romania, and a highly anticipated pool game between Ireland and Scotland. The round of 16 games are likely to feature South Africa in one match and England in the other, adding to the excitement for local spectators.
Revised Rivalry Timeline
Despite the initial snub, the fierce rivalry between Australia and New Zealand will still be on display during the World Cup. The two teams are now set to meet in Sydney for their second match of the tournament, ensuring that fans will not miss out on this classic encounter altogether. This adjustment in the schedule has sparked discussions among supporters about the strategic implications for both sides as they progress through the competition.
The All Blacks' humorous response has highlighted the unexpected nature of the fixture list, with many in the rugby community expressing surprise at the decision to forego a blockbuster opener. As preparations continue, attention now turns to how both teams will perform in their respective opening games and beyond.
