All Blacks Tests 2020
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Six tests on six consecutive weekends is a pretty heavy schedule. Physically very demanding, even if they have bigger squads to give some players a rest. It will be particularly hard for the Springboks and Pumas, who haven't played for ages.
The more I think of it, the sillier I find this TRC. Except for the unions bank accounts.
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@taniwharugby Because they are rugby administrators.
I'd imagine SANZAR were stuck with us wanting to start a week earlier and the Jaapies wanting to start a week later.
Releasing the schedule without us signing off on it is one tactical way of breaking the deadlock! It's pretty much a fait accompli now, so we're negotiating from a pretty shaky platform.
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@Stargazer said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
Six tests on six consecutive weekends is a pretty heavy schedule. Physically very demanding, even if they have bigger squads to give some players a rest. It will be particularly hard for the Springboks and Pumas, who haven't played for ages.
The more I think of it, the sillier I find this TRC. Except for the unions bank accounts.
I don't think there are many bank accounts that are full, I think most unions need the cash from the engagement. In fact I would go as far to say this has nothing to do with a product and everything to do with contractual obligation/ income
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Big squads rotation. Let guys with young families leave a week early.
Cricketers play on Boxing Day, NH tours up until the 1970s used to last into the new year. Deal with it.
It's a once off, in an extraordinary year, to keep the coffers approx 50% plus fuller than otherwise. Sure, its content for the sake of it. But they've decided the content is necessary.
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@Rapido said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
d the content is necessary.
I understand your sentiment, but I have a bit of an issue treating AB tests in such a manner. History matters, our results % is something we take pride in. It is a massive devaluation of the jersey to leave a bunch of youngsters to fight out an away test. Next thing you know we will be labelling them friendlies.
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@voodoo said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
@Rapido said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
d the content is necessary.
I understand your sentiment, but I have a bit of an issue treating AB tests in such a manner. History matters, our results % is something we take pride in. It is a massive devaluation of the jersey to leave a bunch of youngsters to fight out an away test. Next thing you know we will be labelling them friendlies.
check out the 90s guy
Traditions don't mean shit when it comes to professional sport. Broadcasters pay the bills, and they won't pony up without content. Dance monkey dance.
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@voodoo said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
@Rapido said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
d the content is necessary.
I understand your sentiment, but I have a bit of an issue treating AB tests in such a manner. History matters, our results % is something we take pride in. It is a massive devaluation of the jersey to leave a bunch of youngsters to fight out an away test. Next thing you know we will be labelling them friendlies.
Our history includes the odd example of non-full strength teams.
1983 NH tour minus the entire tight five and halves. (my first tour following the game, so I am influenced by that).
and, yes, we were crap.
For half this comp - we will be playing some dudes still in their pre-season. It's already devalued. Just devalued in our favour.
I'd rather watch a full strength NPC with crowds and All Blacks. But, we've commited to this, so get on with it I reckon. I don't have much empathy for it ending "7 days too late". Those in quarantine missing xmas by 2 days, I presume they could be in a group quarantine amongst themselves, they can go 1994 black caps style, cannabis and drag and make the most of it.
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SANZAAR respond
SANZAAR boss Andy Marinos doesn't think The Rugby Championship is at risk of not going ahead despite New Zealand Rugby expressing their "disappointment" and that they "haven't agreed to this schedule". Marinos confirmed the date was the major point of debate. "The 12th of December is an issue for New Zealand but we’ve exhausted every other option and only one at its very furthest - working through how best we can manage the quarantine," Marinos told reporters in Sydney at the official announcement of The Rugby Championship. "We’re going to have to do what we can to make sure we get the desired result for both parties." Asked whether The Rugby Championship was at risk of not going ahead, Marinos poured cold water on the possibility but said that further discussion would be had. "I don’t think so," he said. "There’s too much at stake. "It’s just about how we can best manage individual needs of all the unions and this is the challenge we’ve got with the whole pandemic, there’s complexities at every single corner. Sometimes you’ve got to make a decision and go forward and work on the different permutations. At some stages we’ve gone down a particular path and COVID interactions make us change that path." Interestingly, New Zealand Rugby had initially turned down Rugby Australia's request for The Rugby Championship to be played over five weeks when their trans- Ta$man neighbours were set to host the tournament. When the tables turned and Australia was to host the tournament, New Zealand Rugby made the same request to their Bledisloe rivals. Rugby Australia said, 'Yes'. But fellow SANZAAR partners South Africa and Argentina said 'No' because of the increased risk of injury, particularly given they would not have played domestic tournaments like Australia and New Zealand had with Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Aotearoa respectively. Pressed on whether there were any other options to bring forward the final round, Marinos said they were looking at other options, including tighter bubbles which might allow the New Zealand Government to relax the quarantine laws for the All Blacks, but player welfare was paramount. "We’re looking at all different options," Marinos said. "Whether we put them into an isolation bubble for the last week to try and help aid any sort of quarantine on the other side. "By condemning it, the reality is we’re asking players to play six Test matches in six weeks is pretty arduous as it is with no breaks. "You want to condense that window any closer? I don’t think we have to look too far past what’s happened in the NRL in terms of the number of injuries to come out of this competition because of the intensity and the lack of preparation the guys had going back into a full season. "We’ve got to be cognisant of player welfare but there’s also player safety. You’ve got to manage players from a long-term perspective and make sure we’re not increasing their risk profile disproportionately that they could get serious career-ending injuries. We’ve got to manage the situation." -
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Surely. SAF and Arg needing the extra week at the start to progress out of pre-season trumps NZs need to get home before Xmas. Aus probably don't care either way, swayed to the others two's more valid concern. Out-voted 3 to 4. Get one with it and stop squealing.
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@Rapido said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
Out-voted 3 to 4. Get one with it and stop squealing.
that's probably the bit we need to consider the most. We are only a partner, with a 25% share of the vote. If everyone else is for it, it is supreme arrogance to tell them to fuck off (i can do it, because i don't matter. And i'm massively arrogant)
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If I was NZR I wouldn't make a definitive public statement other than "we are exploring all options" until after the 2 home tests. Win those and the options are in our favour, including a number of high profile players leaving early before the final game (BB, Mo'unga, TJP, etc). You could even announce that on arrival in Aust.
But there could now be a few players who decide not to travel at all.
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the crux of it appears as though they confirmed the draw without confirming with all partners?
Would seem silly to come out and have a whinge after it was agreed by the majority this would be when it is played.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
If I was NZR I wouldn't make a definitive public statement other than "we are exploring all options" until after the 2 home tests. Win those and the options are in our favour, including a number of high profile players leaving early before the final game (BB, Mo'unga, TJP, etc). You could even announce that on arrival in Aust.
But there could now be a few players who decide not to travel at all.
Funny you say that
Asked if the All Blacks could even skip that final game on that date, Robinson refused to rule it out. “We’re looking a whole lot of different options at the moment,” he said. -
From a quick check both SA and Argentina also have a 14-day quarantine period, although there is the option of self-isolation. That doesn't mean you should be sharing the same space as your family. It will be interesting to see if they are prepared to do the same on returning. I would say no.
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What else did Robinson expect from RA? Especially after trying to negotiate directly with State unions for his SR idea?
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
@voodoo said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
@Rapido said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
d the content is necessary.
I understand your sentiment, but I have a bit of an issue treating AB tests in such a manner. History matters, our results % is something we take pride in. It is a massive devaluation of the jersey to leave a bunch of youngsters to fight out an away test. Next thing you know we will be labelling them friendlies.
check out the 90s guy
Traditions don't mean shit when it comes to professional sport. Broadcasters pay the bills, and they won't pony up without content. Dance monkey dance.
Not untrue, but the extension of that is broadcasters are highly unlikely to be enamoured with letting all the star players go home early for Christmas leaving a watered down product.
And I do still care about stats and history. Playing extra games to increase tv deals and ticket sales doesn't change that for me.
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@Rapido said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
@voodoo said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
@Rapido said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
d the content is necessary.
I understand your sentiment, but I have a bit of an issue treating AB tests in such a manner. History matters, our results % is something we take pride in. It is a massive devaluation of the jersey to leave a bunch of youngsters to fight out an away test. Next thing you know we will be labelling them friendlies.
Our history includes the odd example of non-full strength teams.
1983 NH tour minus the entire tight five and halves. (my first tour following the game, so I am influenced by that).
and, yes, we were crap.
For half this comp - we will be playing some dudes still in their pre-season. It's already devalued. Just devalued in our favour.
I'd rather watch a full strength NPC with crowds and All Blacks. But, we've commited to this, so get on with it I reckon. I don't have much empathy for it ending "7 days too late". Those in quarantine missing xmas by 2 days, I presume they could be in a group quarantine amongst themselves, they can go 1994 black caps style, cannabis and drag and make the most of it.
this place melts down almost annually when someone remembers playing a flanker at lock in Chicago, so I'd say there are still a few people around who don't like trotting out weakened teams...
SANZAAR boss hits back at New Zealand Rugby's 'disappointment', says Rugby Championship will go ahead
