All Blacks Tests 2020
-
@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.
-
What else did Robinson expect from RA? Especially after trying to negotiate directly with State unions for his SR idea?
-
@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.
-
@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...
-
@voodoo said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
@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.
absolutely we should care about stats and history and shit, that's fandom
but we don't matter worth a shit. Guys in AB shirts will be on TV, contract box ticked, money exchanged. Job done.
see for instance some of the team sheets for the NRL this weekend
-
Options.
Sort out replacement for the last game (if needed).
Or choose a squad of footloose young punks. Would actually make what is a bit of a box-ticking chore into an interesting tournament.
Or forfeit and take the financial hit of reduced TV and sponsorship income. Including the cost of compensating your SANZAAR partners for their loss of income from your decision.Job done.
-
No doubt NZR are looking at the force majeure clauses.
I think they should come to the party, sandbag against SA & Arg, concentrate on going 4 - 0 against the Aussies.
-
@Rapido said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
Options.
Sort out replacement for the last game (if needed).
Or choose a squad of footloose young punks. Would actually make what is a bit of a box-ticking chore into an interesting tournament.
Or forfeit and take the financial hit of reduced TV and sponsorship income. Including the cost of compensating your SANZAAR partners for their loss of income from your decision.Job done.
Reading the article, it looks like NZR and RA had an agreement to get their players home for Christmas, regardless of where the tournament was played. RA has renegged on that agreement.
Not sure why you think NRU should foot the bill for a schedule they haven't agreed to? Bit weird.
Lets assume we play the game, but with a B or C squad with a significant number of ABs staying at home. And the All Blacks win. Kind of validates the NZR position that their isn't enough depth in Oz for five super rugby teams, IMO.
-
-
@Kirwan said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
@Rapido said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
Options.
Sort out replacement for the last game (if needed).
Or choose a squad of footloose young punks. Would actually make what is a bit of a box-ticking chore into an interesting tournament.
Or forfeit and take the financial hit of reduced TV and sponsorship income. Including the cost of compensating your SANZAAR partners for their loss of income from your decision.Job done.
Reading the article, it looks like NZR and RA had an agreement to get their players home for Christmas, regardless of where the tournament was played. RA has renegged on that agreement.
Not sure why you think NRU should foot the bill for a schedule they haven't agreed to? Bit weird.
Lets assume we play the game, but with a B or C squad with a significant number of ABs staying at home. And the All Blacks win. Kind of validates the NZR position that their isn't enough depth in Oz for five super rugby teams, IMO.
Your last point
"lets assume we play the game, but with a B or C squad with a significant number of ABs staying at home. And the All Blacks win. Kind of validates the NZR position that their isn't enough depth in Oz for five super rugby teams, IMO."
Would be mighty embarrassing for RA and blow the 5 Aussie SR teams out of the water.
-
@Kirwan said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
@Rapido said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
Options.
Sort out replacement for the last game (if needed).
Or choose a squad of footloose young punks. Would actually make what is a bit of a box-ticking chore into an interesting tournament.
Or forfeit and take the financial hit of reduced TV and sponsorship income. Including the cost of compensating your SANZAAR partners for their loss of income from your decision.Job done.
Reading the article, it looks like NZR and RA had an agreement to get their players home for Christmas, regardless of where the tournament was played. RA has renegged on that agreement.
Not sure why you think NRU should foot the bill for a schedule they haven't agreed to? Bit weird.
Lets assume we play the game, but with a B or C squad with a significant number of ABs staying at home. And the All Blacks win. Kind of validates the NZR position that their isn't enough depth in Oz for five super rugby teams, IMO.
Gave me a cracking idea. Lets put that 5th Aussie team on the line for this game. AB's win, Aus only get 4, we lose, they get 5. Would encourage the AB's to field a full strength side and would add some heated meaning to the game! Great job Kirwan!
-
I think Robinson is trying to tell the public it is not his fault, so not to blame him. Nor do I blame the aussies if that part is true after playing hard ball ourselves with them.
I think they play regardless, however unlike some other nations wearing the black jersey still means a lot and they will not try to make up numbers and will go out to win, whoever plays.
-
@Machpants said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
Obviously the ABs and Wallabies could fly out Sunday eveing after Test 2, and then play Sun 1st and skip the last weekend - a bit tight!
You could make an argument we are already a month behind schedule waiting for SR AU to finish. NZ and Aust could have played at least one of the tests in NZ already.
-
@Kirwan said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
@Rapido said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
Options.
Sort out replacement for the last game (if needed).
Or choose a squad of footloose young punks. Would actually make what is a bit of a box-ticking chore into an interesting tournament.
Or forfeit and take the financial hit of reduced TV and sponsorship income. Including the cost of compensating your SANZAAR partners for their loss of income from your decision.Job done.
Reading the article, it looks like NZR and RA had an agreement to get their players home for Christmas, regardless of where the tournament was played. RA has renegged on that agreement.
Not sure why you think NRU should foot the bill for a schedule they haven't agreed to? Bit weird.
Lets assume we play the game, but with a B or C squad with a significant number of ABs staying at home. And the All Blacks win. Kind of validates the NZR position that their isn't enough depth in Oz for five super rugby teams, IMO.
SANZAAR are obligated to provide a tournament of 12 matches if they want to receive their broadcasting and sponsorship payments.
I don't know how the legality of SANZAAR works. I'm just shooting the breeze assuming a majority vote of 3 out of 4 is enough to be binding.
My point is if 3 out of 4 agree a schedule, but NZ force 1 game to be forfeit. Then money coming in from Investec and the Broadcasters to each of the 4 .... NZ should/could have to make up the shortfall to the partners if those clients chose to withhold 1/12th of their payments. if 1/12th of the tournament isn't played.
Being home 2 days after xmas isn't really a force majeure. The South African government preventing any sport being played, any group training and gatherings, therefore delaying their pre-season is probably a force majeure.
-
Weird thing is a weakened team could make it the memorable game in years.
The only memories of euphoria I have ahead of Mike Brewer rumbling over for the Baby Blacks in 86 are the 2011 and 2015 RWC final tries.
Although I concede 1983 and 2002 EOPY tours, with self-inflicted weakness - it didn't feel the same (and we lost or drew the big games)
-
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks Tests 2020:
So if Aus were keen to have a shortened tournament if TRC was in NZ why can't they move the final game ABs-Wallabies to midweek say Wednesday 9 December?
potentially broadcasters not allowing a midweek game?
-
@Kirwan how did you come to that conclusion? RA agreed and South Afric and Argentina vetoed NZs preference.
Thats what the article says, anyway.
It also said NZ turned down the exact same request when RA made it. Which seems fairly hypocritical to me.
-
6 games over 6 weeks...
in a RWC year we play each other once dont we?
Why couldnt they do that in a Covid year?
Or, if they wanted more $$$, play each other once, top 2 play the 'final' bottom 2 play 3rd/4th...4 games over 4 weeks.
