RUGBY AUSTRALIA CHAIRMAN Hamish McLennan delivered a broadside against his New Zealand counterparts today after a “wondrously ironic” 16-16 Test draw undercut assertions that Australian teams don’t deserve equal billing in a revamped Super Rugby competition.
McLennan claimed vindication after the Wallabies’ much-improved display in Wellington on Sunday, when they were inches from victory as Reece Hodge’s post-siren penalty hit the upright.
“All year we’ve been told that we can’t compete, and we don’t have the player strength, so a 16-16 draw was wondrously ironic,” he told Stuff.co.nz.
Rugby’s governing bodies in New Zealand and Australia have been locked in arguments over the future of Super Rugby and the format of this year’s Test-level Rugby Championship.
Cash-strapped Australia has accused New Zealand — which has the larger market and the stronger teams — of arrogance after Kiwi officials said up to three Australian sides should be left out of a trans-Tasman Super Rugby competition.
McLennan earlier said that the relationship between administrators either side of the Tasman was at the “lowest ebb it’s ever been”.
New Zealand, Australia and South Africa all organised domestic versions of Super Rugby this year after the southern hemisphere tournament was halted by the coronavirus pandemic.
But South Africa is now hoping to put four of its teams into Europe’s Pro14 after New Zealand unveiled a proposal ditching South African sides and Argentina’s Jaguares. Rugby Australia insisted all five of its teams must be included, rather than the two to four proposed by New Zealand.
As it stands, New Zealand and Australia are set to continue to operate separate domestic Super Rugby competitions in 2021, although plans remain fluid in such uncertain times.
McLennan said a Kiwi proposal to include unproven teams from Hong Kong, Hawaii and an Auckland-based Pacific team was questionable.
“We were instructed that New Zealand wanted to create a world-class competition, and so three new teams go forward –- that makes a mockery of the original premise,” McLennan said. “How could you compare those teams to the Brumbies or the Reds?”
Can’t help but wonder what if Ferris was still playing that would be a frightening back row.
True. Ferris would be an upgrade on Stander
Two bulldozers! Only one more sleep lads
Can’t wait to see them 3 get stuck in and cause complete mayhem
CJ and SOB are gona tear the frogs a new arsehole
When u think o mahony and Henderson has to come back into this squad,and Wat they both bring to De table,and with the quality ireland have right across all back positions now,and De quality coming through,irish rugby is definitely, at international level,in a great place..
Shame that knob jockey pape won’t be playing. We won’t get to see Seanie give him a cuddle!
Thought ruddock was on bench not TOD?
There was some confusion yesterday but it is the TOD.
It shows the quality we have in the back row when Ruddock can’t get in the 23.
Or when POM isn’t missed. (Tactically, personally we still miss him)
Disagree with that, I am biased against Munster and despite that I think he is arguably Ireland’s best forward – he is always immense when he plays for Ireland – I don’t think Stander, Henry or O’Donnell can match him
I’m a huge POM fan and really think he adds something extra. But if we lose we won’t be saying “of only Peter had been playing”. His replacement doesn’t fall THAT far short.
Just consider for a moment Henderson playing at 6 along with Stander at 8 and O’Brien at 7.
That would be the dream combination
Just need to find pace on the Inge and power in the second row and then we have a team to be feared
I’d have Henderson at second row. Completely fills the position but the advantage of another back row in the loose.
You’d sort of be missing Heaslip at 8 there, lad
Can’t wait for an ireland win..