Planet Rugby Forum

jambanja wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:50 pm

Mog The Almighty wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:45 pm

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:29 pm MOG - which is exactly what NZRU seems to be inferring RA are doing.

I can’t wait to see where this one ends up - NZ (union and fans) on the ropes, SA has COVID positive cases just before camp and making noises about not playing, Arg moved players to neighbouring country. Will the TRC happen?

More positively Bled 3 & 4 in a few weeks.

I dunno mate. I just want to see some good, clean rugby. I don't even expect this young rebuilding Wallaby team stands a chance to win a game (although I like surprises). I'm just pumped to see the rugby. I'm sick of this politicking shit, and I'm sure the vast majority of NZers would agree. To me the NZ players spending Christmas in quarantine should not be an issue worth even discussing really. They're representing their country, the former champions of world rugby. I've taken flights on Christmas day before just to say a few bucks ffs. If I was doing it to represent Australia on the global stage it would be a totally, laughably non issue. I don't even know what they're talking aobut.

I hope they just go at it. Professionalism is f-cking up the game imo.

Quick fix there

ArnoldVDH wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:17 am Looks like NZR knew all along about the Rugby Championship end date of 12 December and that they'd agreed to it.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/int ... ampionship

Zakar wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:44 am

ArnoldVDH wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:17 am Looks like NZR knew all along about the Rugby Championship end date of 12 December and that they'd agreed to it.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/int ... ampionship

They are so out of their depth.

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:51 am

Zakar wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:44 am

ArnoldVDH wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:17 am Looks like NZR knew all along about the Rugby Championship end date of 12 December and that they'd agreed to it.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/int ... ampionship

They are so out of their depth.

Aussie fans are loving this pile on.

I hate NZR but they are infinitely more competent than RA has ever been. Your teams suck at every level of the game, your national union is broke and begging World Rugby for loans and you don't even have a permanent CEO, having sacked your previous one because News Ltd told you to.

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:51 am

Zakar wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:44 am

ArnoldVDH wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:17 am Looks like NZR knew all along about the Rugby Championship end date of 12 December and that they'd agreed to it.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/int ... ampionship

They are so out of their depth.

Aussie fans are loving this pile on.

I hate NZR but they are infinitely more competent than RA has ever been. Your teams suck at every level of the game, your national union is broke and begging World Rugby for loans and you don't even have a permanent CEO, having sacked your previous one because News Ltd told you to.

Zakar wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 3:09 am Every level? Our u20s and u18s thrashed your teams last year, and we're reigning Olympic champions.

We're on the way up, you're on the way down.

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 3:14 am

Zakar wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 3:09 am Every level? Our u20s and u18s thrashed your teams last year, and we're reigning Olympic champions.

We're on the way up, you're on the way down.

Three Super Rugby titles in 26 seasons, no Bledisloe Cup series wins since 2003 and the Wallabies are currently ranked a pathetic 7th. Throw in a broke national union and a casual CEO on his L Plates, and yet you're here on this thread boasting about how well Australian Rugby is going. Pathetic. But don't let me disrupt your gleeful online pile on.

Zakar wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 3:25 am

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 3:14 am

Zakar wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 3:09 am Every level? Our u20s and u18s thrashed your teams last year, and we're reigning Olympic champions.

We're on the way up, you're on the way down.

Three Super Rugby titles in 26 seasons, no Bledisloe Cup series wins since 2003 and the Wallabies are currently ranked a pathetic 7th. Throw in a broke national union and a casual CEO on his L Plates, and yet you're here on this thread boasting about how well Australian Rugby is going. Pathetic. But don't let me disrupt your gleeful online pile on.

Exactly, we're on the way up, like Space X. You're on the way down like Challenger.

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:51 am

Zakar wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:44 am

ArnoldVDH wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:17 am Looks like NZR knew all along about the Rugby Championship end date of 12 December and that they'd agreed to it.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/int ... ampionship

They are so out of their depth.

Aussie fans are loving this pile on.

I hate NZR but they are infinitely more competent than RA has ever been. Your teams suck at every level of the game, your national union is broke and begging World Rugby for loans and you don't even have a permanent CEO, having sacked your previous one because News Ltd told you to.

Zakar wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:44 am

ArnoldVDH wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:17 am Looks like NZR knew all along about the Rugby Championship end date of 12 December and that they'd agreed to it.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/int ... ampionship

They are so out of their depth.

UncleFB wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 3:56 am Are we going to get to see these minutes? Are they approved minutes or just draft?

Surely this meeting was on Zoom so there'll be a video record of it. The Australia-Sanzaar cabal should just leak the video as well.

Leaked minutes show NZ agreed to six-week Rugby Championship
Sam Phillips
By Sam Phillips
September 30, 2020 — 5.01pm

Leaked minutes from a meeting of SANZAAR CEOs have revealed New Zealand Rugby agreed to play a six-week Rugby Championship which would finish on December 12, despite their insistence otherwise.

NZR chief executive Mark Robinson spoke to reporters from both sides of the Tasman on Wednesday to discuss the Rugby Championship scheduling and South Africa's scathing attack on the Kiwis after confirming their departure from Super Rugby, among other things.

And while Robinson repeatedly insisted NZR did not agree to play a six-week tournament which would finish on December 12 – as RA chair Hamish McLennan indicated on Tuesday night – the Herald has sourced the minutes from the other side of the Tasman.

They clearly show the six-week tournament was agreed upon by all four nations and the announcement which supposedly blindsided NZR was also set in stone for late September.

Despite the evidence to the contrary, Robinson held firm on Wednesday.

"We didn't agree to the schedule and don't agree to the schedule. Or the announcement," Robinson said. "Ordinarily, under SANZAAR joint venture that means things aren't decided or announced until there is unanimous support for anything such as this."

Robinson believes Australia "changed their tune" in the days prior to the September 24 schedule reveal, despite agreeing to a September 21 announcement at the CEOs meeting on September 17.

"It became clear to us probably in the few days before the announcement that the Australians had certainly changed their tune," Robinson said. "And in a day or so before or the night before, that's when it gained real traction. We were surprised by the media releases that were circulating."

While the document shows NZR were aware of the plans, Robinson also took aim at McLennan, who on Tuesday said the relationship between the rugby nations was at its "lowest ebb".

That was simply a "strategy" New Zealand would be drawn into, according to Robinson.

"With regards to Australia, [NZR chair] Brent [Impey] and I were on a phone call with Hamish and [RA chief executive] Rob [Clarke] as recently as 10 or 12 days ago where they were inviting us to be hosted and to come and stay with them and enjoy hospitality. I think it's a bit of bluster, to be honest," Robinson said.

"It's something that clearly they have a strategy and a narrative that they want to portray and we don't operate like that.

"We respect the fact they want to and we will carry on engaging about future opportunities with them and get on with business and ignore things that are being said like that."

When pressed on the September 17 meeting and what agreement was made, Robinson ducked the question.

"All I would say is that in any forum we have been in, there has been no agreement to play in the tournament on December 12 at any time and at any meeting," Robinson said.

"We have been very clear around that and any correspondence on our end. That's something we have been very consistent with."

Robinson may have been consistent but the minutes show the SANZAAR and RA side of the story to be the more accurate account of events.

"Frankly, we want to move on and focus on the future," Robinson said. "I can appreciate you have jobs to do but we have very clear – in our own minds – what has happened. But to be honest, that doesn't serve anyone much use at the moment. To go back and try relitigate any of that.

"And that's what [conversations with] Rugby Australia and SANZAAR has been like since the start of the week.

"We had to be very clear about what happened when that was announced without our approval. Since that time, we have largely tried to focus forward and get a resolution for team and management."

UncleFB wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 3:56 am Are we going to get to see these minutes? Are they approved minutes or just draft?

Surely this meeting was on Zoom so there'll be a video record of it. The Australia-Sanzaar cabal should just leak the video as well.

Enzedder wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 6:52 am

UncleFB wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 3:56 am Are we going to get to see these minutes? Are they approved minutes or just draft?

Surely this meeting was on Zoom so there'll be a video record of it. The Australia-Sanzaar cabal should just leak the video as well.

I am also still waiting - and I am hoping that this record has been approved and verified by all parties.

I bet they haven't

Zakar wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:44 am

ArnoldVDH wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:17 am Looks like NZR knew all along about the Rugby Championship end date of 12 December and that they'd agreed to it.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/int ... ampionship

They are so out of their depth.

jambanja wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 7:00 am

Enzedder wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 6:52 am

UncleFB wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 3:56 am Are we going to get to see these minutes? Are they approved minutes or just draft?

Surely this meeting was on Zoom so there'll be a video record of it. The Australia-Sanzaar cabal should just leak the video as well.

I am also still waiting - and I am hoping that this record has been approved and verified by all parties.

I bet they haven't

Brent Impey has just been on TVNZ denying it, problem for NZR is they can’t prove it wasn’t agreed on especially if the other two say different. He’s also saying the rift between RA and NZR is beat up, which seems at odds with what is happening, but as I think they need each other they will find some middle ground, well you’d hope so anyway

Zakar wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 3:25 am

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 3:14 am

Zakar wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 3:09 am Every level? Our u20s and u18s thrashed your teams last year, and we're reigning Olympic champions.

We're on the way up, you're on the way down.

Three Super Rugby titles in 26 seasons, no Bledisloe Cup series wins since 2003 and the Wallabies are currently ranked a pathetic 7th. Throw in a broke national union and a casual CEO on his L Plates, and yet you're here on this thread boasting about how well Australian Rugby is going. Pathetic. But don't let me disrupt your gleeful online pile on.

Exactly, we're on the way up, like Space X. You're on the way down like Challenger.

New Zealand defiance over length of The Rugby Championship threatens to cancel competition
Jamie Pandaram, The Daily Telegraph
October 1, 2020 5:54pm

NZR chairman Brent Impey, who is also chairman of SANZAAR, reiterated the Kiwis’ position on Thursday by saying they never agreed to the December 12 match against the Wallabies that is set to conclude the tournament in Sydney, because it would force All Blacks players to remain quarantined in a hotel on Christmas Day.

New Zealand media reported that “minutes” of a SANZAAR meeting on September 17 showed Kiwi officials were aware of the six-week draw announcement.

News Corp has now seen the papers.

They are notes of a meeting between SANZAAR chief executives, including NZR chief Mark Robinson, that states: “The draw as presented to the competition’s working group earlier for a six-week competition was accepted”.

In that meeting, Robinson resolved to push the New Zealand government to wind back their mandatory 14-day quarantine rules to 10 days.

The draw’s announcement was to have been made on September 21, but was pushed back three days at the request of the Kiwis.

On September 24, NZR emailed SANZAAR partners saying they did not agree to the six-week tournament, however the other nations and NSW government officials were standing by to make the announcement of the draw from November 7 to December 12.

Impey was not part of that September 17 meeting when consensus was reached, and slammed the report citing the “minutes” of the SANZAAR meeting.

“It says a six-week draw was agreed by all, I can tell you that it wasn’t,” Impey said.

“We know that, and Rugby Australia and SANZAAR know that, because we kept telling them right up until the time they announced the draw.

“The notes also quite clearly refer to an impasse, and there are many emails that prove this.

“So our position has never changed.

“Our focus is on trying to get the TRC issue sorted, and we’re not going to bother to engage in tit for tat on so-called notes, which weren’t minutes, and weren’t board minutes either.

“So we do challenge those that have made comments concerning NZR’s integrity, we defend our position, and we’re firm in it.

“As chair of SANZAAR, the last board meeting of SANZAAR was August 4th, there have been no quote minutes provided from any of the exco (executive council) meetings, including a telephone conversation or group of the CEOs that have been brought to the SANZAAR board relating to any meeting on the 17th of September.

“There are emails I’ve seen that show New Zealand was never committed to a December 12 date, and tried to work through solutions. It’s also been confirmed that New Zealand never agreed to a December 12 match in Australia, that is my honest view.

“I do believe the question should be more directed at the party that leaked those so-called minutes – which aren’t that at all – they’re someone’s notes of a meeting.”

With Impey stating NZR is working to find “alternatives” for that final game, and not play on December 12 as broadcasters of TRC expect, there is a danger the tournament could collapse.

“The issue around December 12 to try to find an alternative is a priority,” Impey said.

Impey said paying the All Blacks players extra money to play on December 12 “is not a consideration”.

Under SANZAAR’s operating structure, any change to a tournament schedule must have unanimous approval from all four unions.

South Africa and Argentina already voted against a five-week tournament and are unlikely to change their mind at this late stage.

So if New Zealand stands alone in requesting a five-week competition – which would lose serious money from broadcasters who have paid for six weekends of double-header games – the tournament may not proceed.

It appears, if the situation is not resolved, the Kiwis will rely on paperwork technicalities to show there was never unanimous support at the SANZAAR chair level for the six-week draw in order to escape any financial liability sought by the other three unions.

The SANZAAR alliance works at three levels: the SANZAAR board meetings, which involves the chairs and CEOS; the SANZAAR CEO’s meeting with just the chiefs - this is the one that took place on September 17 - and; the SANZAAR working group.

New Zealand is quickly running out of excuses to justify their stance on The Rugby Championship draw, with numerous sources confirming SANZAAR never agreed to a five-week tournament.

While New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said publicly last week that there was an agreement for a five-week tournament that would end on December 5 – allowing the All Blacks to return to their homes after quarantine before Christmas Day – her staff will now be keen to see proof.

Kiwi media outlet NewsHub cited SANZAAR meeting minutes that show New Zealand Rugby was aware of the six-week proposal before it was announced.

News Corp Australia has been told this is accurate, and the Kiwis were fully briefed – NZR chairman Brent Impey is also chairman of SANZAAR.

Rugby Australia voted in favour of the five-week proposal requested by New Zealand, but South Africa and Argentina rejected it because they felt six games in five weeks worked against player welfare guidelines for their Test stars.

All broadcasters involved expressed a desire for weekend games – they feel midweek matches will not rate as well – so the six-week tournament format was drafted to be held in Australia from November 7 to December 12.

Yet since its announcement, Kiwi officials have stated they were blindsided and won’t abide by the draw because All Blacks players would be forced to quarantine on Christmas Day under New Zealand’s 14-day mandatory COVID-19 rules.

RA chairman Hamish McLennan told Sky Sport’s that relations between Australia and New Zealand was at its “lowest ebb” earlier this week. But NZR chief executive Mark Robinson dismissed that.

“I think it’s a bit of bluster, to be honest,” Robinson said.

“Clearly they’ve got a strategy and a narrative that they want to portray. We don’t operate like that but we respect the fact that they want to.

“We’ll carry on engaging about the future opportunities with them and just have to largely get on with our own business and ignore some of the things that are being said like that.”

All Blacks captain Sam Cane and coach Ian Foster have said this week they were shocked by the draw announcement and will not accept it.

Robinson added: “The players, management and ourselves are all completely aligned. This has to be sorted out ASAP.

“We’ll be working through that later this evening and tomorrow and try and bring it to a resolution as soon as possible.”

But informed sources said there will be no change to the Rugby Championship draw, leaving two options; the All Blacks boycott the final match on December 12, or the Kiwi government relaxes their quarantine rules within weeks to ensure the players are not locked in hotels on Christmas Day.

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 10:19 pm The latest - DT is not my usual go to but this is an interesting article with a bit in there for everyone....https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... 7e80a80bfc

New Zealand defiance over length of The Rugby Championship threatens to cancel competition
Jamie Pandaram, The Daily Telegraph
October 1, 2020 5:54pm

NZR chairman Brent Impey, who is also chairman of SANZAAR, reiterated the Kiwis’ position on Thursday by saying they never agreed to the December 12 match against the Wallabies that is set to conclude the tournament in Sydney, because it would force All Blacks players to remain quarantined in a hotel on Christmas Day.

New Zealand media reported that “minutes” of a SANZAAR meeting on September 17 showed Kiwi officials were aware of the six-week draw announcement.

News Corp has now seen the papers.

They are notes of a meeting between SANZAAR chief executives, including NZR chief Mark Robinson, that states: “The draw as presented to the competition’s working group earlier for a six-week competition was accepted”.

In that meeting, Robinson resolved to push the New Zealand government to wind back their mandatory 14-day quarantine rules to 10 days.

The draw’s announcement was to have been made on September 21, but was pushed back three days at the request of the Kiwis.

On September 24, NZR emailed SANZAAR partners saying they did not agree to the six-week tournament, however the other nations and NSW government officials were standing by to make the announcement of the draw from November 7 to December 12.

Impey was not part of that September 17 meeting when consensus was reached, and slammed the report citing the “minutes” of the SANZAAR meeting.

“It says a six-week draw was agreed by all, I can tell you that it wasn’t,” Impey said.

“We know that, and Rugby Australia and SANZAAR know that, because we kept telling them right up until the time they announced the draw.

“The notes also quite clearly refer to an impasse, and there are many emails that prove this.

“So our position has never changed.

“Our focus is on trying to get the TRC issue sorted, and we’re not going to bother to engage in tit for tat on so-called notes, which weren’t minutes, and weren’t board minutes either.

“So we do challenge those that have made comments concerning NZR’s integrity, we defend our position, and we’re firm in it.

“As chair of SANZAAR, the last board meeting of SANZAAR was August 4th, there have been no quote minutes provided from any of the exco (executive council) meetings, including a telephone conversation or group of the CEOs that have been brought to the SANZAAR board relating to any meeting on the 17th of September.

“There are emails I’ve seen that show New Zealand was never committed to a December 12 date, and tried to work through solutions. It’s also been confirmed that New Zealand never agreed to a December 12 match in Australia, that is my honest view.

“I do believe the question should be more directed at the party that leaked those so-called minutes – which aren’t that at all – they’re someone’s notes of a meeting.”

With Impey stating NZR is working to find “alternatives” for that final game, and not play on December 12 as broadcasters of TRC expect, there is a danger the tournament could collapse.

“The issue around December 12 to try to find an alternative is a priority,” Impey said.

Impey said paying the All Blacks players extra money to play on December 12 “is not a consideration”.

Under SANZAAR’s operating structure, any change to a tournament schedule must have unanimous approval from all four unions.

South Africa and Argentina already voted against a five-week tournament and are unlikely to change their mind at this late stage.

So if New Zealand stands alone in requesting a five-week competition – which would lose serious money from broadcasters who have paid for six weekends of double-header games – the tournament may not proceed.

It appears, if the situation is not resolved, the Kiwis will rely on paperwork technicalities to show there was never unanimous support at the SANZAAR chair level for the six-week draw in order to escape any financial liability sought by the other three unions.

The SANZAAR alliance works at three levels: the SANZAAR board meetings, which involves the chairs and CEOS; the SANZAAR CEO’s meeting with just the chiefs - this is the one that took place on September 17 - and; the SANZAAR working group.

New Zealand is quickly running out of excuses to justify their stance on The Rugby Championship draw, with numerous sources confirming SANZAAR never agreed to a five-week tournament.

While New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said publicly last week that there was an agreement for a five-week tournament that would end on December 5 – allowing the All Blacks to return to their homes after quarantine before Christmas Day – her staff will now be keen to see proof.

Kiwi media outlet NewsHub cited SANZAAR meeting minutes that show New Zealand Rugby was aware of the six-week proposal before it was announced.

News Corp Australia has been told this is accurate, and the Kiwis were fully briefed – NZR chairman Brent Impey is also chairman of SANZAAR.

Rugby Australia voted in favour of the five-week proposal requested by New Zealand, but South Africa and Argentina rejected it because they felt six games in five weeks worked against player welfare guidelines for their Test stars.

All broadcasters involved expressed a desire for weekend games – they feel midweek matches will not rate as well – so the six-week tournament format was drafted to be held in Australia from November 7 to December 12.

Yet since its announcement, Kiwi officials have stated they were blindsided and won’t abide by the draw because All Blacks players would be forced to quarantine on Christmas Day under New Zealand’s 14-day mandatory COVID-19 rules.

RA chairman Hamish McLennan told Sky Sport’s that relations between Australia and New Zealand was at its “lowest ebb” earlier this week. But NZR chief executive Mark Robinson dismissed that.

“I think it’s a bit of bluster, to be honest,” Robinson said.

“Clearly they’ve got a strategy and a narrative that they want to portray. We don’t operate like that but we respect the fact that they want to.

“We’ll carry on engaging about the future opportunities with them and just have to largely get on with our own business and ignore some of the things that are being said like that.”

All Blacks captain Sam Cane and coach Ian Foster have said this week they were shocked by the draw announcement and will not accept it.

Robinson added: “The players, management and ourselves are all completely aligned. This has to be sorted out ASAP.

“We’ll be working through that later this evening and tomorrow and try and bring it to a resolution as soon as possible.”

But informed sources said there will be no change to the Rugby Championship draw, leaving two options; the All Blacks boycott the final match on December 12, or the Kiwi government relaxes their quarantine rules within weeks to ensure the players are not locked in hotels on Christmas Day.

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 10:59 pm Of course the reason we are still even considering playing Rugby in mid-December is because international sports is still banned in South Africa and half the Pumas squad have covid-19. But it's all NZR's fault

Mog The Almighty wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 9:23 am It's a giant conspiracy to stop a few athletes spending Christmas at home! Wake up sheeple!

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 10:59 pm Of course the reason we are still even considering playing Rugby in mid-December is because international sports is still banned in South Africa and half the Pumas squad have covid-19. But it's all NZR's fault

They are notes of a meeting between SANZAAR chief executives, including NZR chief Mark Robinson, that states: “The draw as presented to the competition’s working group earlier for a six-week competition was accepted”.

In that meeting, Robinson resolved to push the New Zealand government to wind back their mandatory 14-day quarantine rules to 10 days.

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 10:59 pm Of course the reason we are still even considering playing Rugby in mid-December is because international sports is still banned in South Africa and half the Pumas squad have covid-19. But it's all NZR's fault

mdaclarke wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:30 pm What's everyones gut feeling as to what will happen?

Mine is that there is too much money at stake for the 4 unions and the tournament will happen.

grievous wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:33 pm

mdaclarke wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:30 pm What's everyones gut feeling as to what will happen?

Mine is that there is too much money at stake for the 4 unions and the tournament will happen.

It will go ahead, Kiwis are trying to find a way to not lose face.
Much scrambling by NZR between NZ gov and the players right now.

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:35 pm

grievous wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:33 pm

mdaclarke wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:30 pm What's everyones gut feeling as to what will happen?

Mine is that there is too much money at stake for the 4 unions and the tournament will happen.

It will go ahead, Kiwis are trying to find a way to not lose face.
Much scrambling by NZR between NZ gov and the players right now.

That's been my view here - suck it up and get it done.
The biggest risk in my mind is not NZ, rather SA, and to lesser extent Arg, not going ahead.

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:35 pm

grievous wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:33 pm

mdaclarke wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:30 pm What's everyones gut feeling as to what will happen?

Mine is that there is too much money at stake for the 4 unions and the tournament will happen.

It will go ahead, Kiwis are trying to find a way to not lose face.
Much scrambling by NZR between NZ gov and the players right now.

That's been my view here - suck it up and get it done.
The biggest risk in my mind is not NZ, rather SA, and to lesser extent Arg, not going ahead.

jambanja wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:39 pm

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:35 pm

grievous wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:33 pm

mdaclarke wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:30 pm What's everyones gut feeling as to what will happen?

Mine is that there is too much money at stake for the 4 unions and the tournament will happen.

It will go ahead, Kiwis are trying to find a way to not lose face.
Much scrambling by NZR between NZ gov and the players right now.

That's been my view here - suck it up and get it done.
The biggest risk in my mind is not NZ, rather SA, and to lesser extent Arg, not going ahead.

Agreed, and even if they do, it will most likely be a "development squad", either way they are going to get smashed and the whole thing is going to go off like a damp squib, both SA and Arg have had absolutely no rugby to speak of and they're about to go up against battle hardened AB's and Wallabies.

grievous wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 12:41 am

jambanja wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:39 pm

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:35 pm

grievous wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:33 pm

mdaclarke wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:30 pm What's everyones gut feeling as to what will happen?

Mine is that there is too much money at stake for the 4 unions and the tournament will happen.

It will go ahead, Kiwis are trying to find a way to not lose face.
Much scrambling by NZR between NZ gov and the players right now.

That's been my view here - suck it up and get it done.
The biggest risk in my mind is not NZ, rather SA, and to lesser extent Arg, not going ahead.

Agreed, and even if they do, it will most likely be a "development squad", either way they are going to get smashed and the whole thing is going to go off like a damp squib, both SA and Arg have had absolutely no rugby to speak of and they're about to go up against battle hardened AB's and Wallabies.

Doesnt SA have some domestic rugby under their belt. It would be worse for them if they miss this tournament. Sending a development squad makes no sense.

jambanja wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 12:50 am The first games were last weekend, hardly the ideal lead in, meanwhile AUs a s Nz have already done a full domestic SR and NZ are now playing the Mitre 10 cup, the All Blacks have had a trot in that too, plus they will have two Bledisloe matches as a very nice warm up, the odds couldn’t be more stacked

Bolshie All Blacks acting like spoiled brats with Christmas demands

Duncan Johnstone
10:28, Oct 01 2020

OPINION: The All Blacks are acting like the spoiled brats of an infected New Zealand sporting scene with their demands to be home by Christmas.

The world has changed with Covid-19 and their attitude needs to change with it, if they are serious about contesting the Rugby Championship in Australia.

Sporting sacrifices have been made everywhere. Just ask the Warriors or the Phoenix who have spent an intolerable amount of time across the Tasman under heavy restrictions this year.


Yes, the festive season for the All Blacks looks like it will be disrupted but there has not been too much sacred about Christmas and sport for many years.


The Black Caps will probably be training on Christmas Day, preparing for their Boxing Day test against Pakistan in Mt Maunganui.

Footballers all over Europe will be doing similar, as they have done for years.

The same goes for the NFL in the United States, where professionalism is a trademark.


'We're not just going to roll over and accept this': All Blacks captain Sam Cane reveals the reaction of ABs leaders group to controversial Rugby Championship draw.
The All Blacks have now dragged themselves into a political argument with the threat made by new captain Sam Cane that “we’re not going to just roll over and accept this” as they contemplate Christmas in quarantine.


It is noble of them to be trying to fix the problems of what appears to be some ineffective administration at New Zealand Rugby who can’t seem to get a win against Australia or South Africa at present.

But this appears to be another case of the tail wagging the dog, where the servants are trying to dictate to their masters.


Do the All Blacks hold the same power they did a wee while ago, to be making such demands? They are not the world champions any longer. Heck, they are not even the champions of the Rugby Championship.

There was a time when players would crawl over broken glass to put on the black jersey. Bigger sacrifices than a missed Christmas dinner with the family have been made down the history of the famous team.

A lot of common folk will actually be working on Christmas Day rather than sitting in a plush hotel, getting served what will undoubtedly be a decent dinner.

Stop being Christmas turkeys and think outside the square guys – have your own special family celebration a couple of days later.

It is more surprising they have not had doubts about the sense of playing rugby in Australia in the heat of November and December in the first place.


It is no longer an even playing field and never looked like being one with New Zealand and Australia able to play rugby while South Africa and Argentina were locked down with their countries ravaged by Covid-19.

The Springboks and Pumas have only just resumed and both have been hit by positive tests for the coronavirus.

There is a desperation to play the tournament purely for financial reasons.

There is some economic sense to that argument and that should be realised by the players most of all with their heavy wages needing to be paid.

In a new environment that requires fluid thinking and almost daily adaptation to ever-changing circumstances, the All Blacks would be better reacting accordingly rather than throwing their toys out of the cot

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:04 am

jambanja wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 12:50 am The first games were last weekend, hardly the ideal lead in, meanwhile AUs a s Nz have already done a full domestic SR and NZ are now playing the Mitre 10 cup, the All Blacks have had a trot in that too, plus they will have two Bledisloe matches as a very nice warm up, the odds couldn’t be more stacked

So what's your solution? Keeping in mind that as it stands it's currently against the law in South Africa for the Springboks to take the field against international opposition? Pray that the South African laws are changed and play through December and January? So that the AB's, who started their 2020 Super Rugby season at the end of January this year, play a full 12 month season? Seems fair and reasonable.

towny wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 3:00 pm On the off chance that those minutes are real and accurately show what others who’ve seen them say, It’s hard to see how Mark Robinson can survive this. He has been a disaster for NZ rugby. I’m not sure if NZ fans realise how low their stock has sunk.

It took Trump 4 years ffs.