News Limited Turns Up Heat on NZRFU

The stoush over the proposed resting from the 2007 Super 14 competition of All Blacks involved in the 2007 Rugby World Cup Campaign has moved up a gear. News Limited have now made it clear that they were not consulted over the plans of the NRFU and reportedly believe that to rest the top level players would be a breach of contract. In these days of professionalism, and the all important dollar in Rugby, this could have potentially enormous repercussions for New Zealand Rugby.

News Limited are holding an ace up their sleeve in that they make quarterly payments to the NZRFU, and it is this money that funds the All Blacks, the Super 14 franchises, and basically the majority of professional rugby in New Zealand. As it is alleged that the resting of the All Blacks would constitute a breach of contract, New Limited could withhold payments under the contract with the NZRFU. This could be devastating.

It shoud be noted that the NRFU have stated that they have legal advice that the steps they have proposed thus far (resting the All Black players for the first seven rounds only) is not a breach of their contract with News Limited. They also have stated that they consulted with stakeholders concerning the decision...either News Limited isn't a stakeholder, isn't telling the truth when they say they weren't consulted by NZRFU, or someone at the NZRFU has stuffed things up in relation to a Rugby World Cup...again! The truth about this stoush will out, and I will expect sooner rather than later.

It is a shame that unions are not able to prepare for the biggest international rugby competitiuon in the way that they see fit. However, it also isn't good policy to allow unions to enter into agreements, get paid money, and then not live up to their obligations. The reality is that a stoush wont suit either News Limited or the NZRFU and so some sort of compromise will be agreed to. You heard it here first! Have your say on the current stoush by voting in our poll for this week, on the right had side of the blog.

Back to the game. Both Williams and Smit were cleared after being cited. Apparently the All Blacks are 'seething' after Victor Matfield was not cited after an alleged high and late tackle after 9 minutes on Daniel Carter. I think that is stretching it a bit, and at the time I saw the tackle I thought that Tony Johnson and Murray Mexted were being a bit overly protective. Daniel Carter ran to the line before kicking the ball, and seemed to be delaying the moment that he kicked it, presumably for maximum distance on the kick. Anytime that you do that, especially on Loftus, you are asking for it.

Newsflash; rugby is a physical game. The tackle was hard but not late nor that high, and if Carter doesn't like it, he could've kicked the ball much earlier. Add to this the complaining about Smit and his stoush with McCaw, my verdict is that the All Blacks need to take a hard look at themselves. They are in danger of becoming whingers who are too scared to respond to aggression on the field with some agression of their own. Troy Flavell could be back in the team soon, and then we'll see some agression from the All Blacks I think!

Coach White might not be called Coach White for much longer. Reports have it today that SARFU have contacted Rassie Erasmus (currently coach of the Cheetahs). Exactly what they contacted Rassie for is not stated in any reports yet, however after the defeat at the weekend it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to work that out. Rassie himself has denied being contacted.

What great preparation for the tournament next year that would be for the Africans. Sack the coach just after the Tri-Nations ends, and give a new guy the end of year tours to get started on. Not exactly ideal! But true to form at least for the Republic.

Erasmus has previously been contacted by SARFU about the availability of his services. It is understood that were he to be appointed to the top job, he wants all of South Africa to know the servie conditions. This is a reference to the affirmative action selection policies of the national side in South Africa. In simple terms, being required to select a specified number of black players in the team, not necessarily reflecting their abilities or skills. Sounds fair enough, this sort of thing ought to be transparent if you are going to do it.

This weekends game will be another late night/early morning affair for yours truly. It wont be on tv here, and I will again have to venture to the local watering hole to view the action. I hope that it is another free flowing game of open rugby in which the All Black backs are able to shine. Check back soon for the anouncement of the teams to play this weekend.