Former England captain hits out: 'There's a little bit of self-interest going on at the moment'
England rugby legend Lawrence Dallaglio has blasted the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks, questioning their refusal to play tests in the northern hemisphere.
All three Southern superpowers were set for their respective end of year tours up north this New Zealand summer, before the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the international calendar.
The All Blacks were scheduled to play England, Wales and Scotland starting in November. No revised fixtures have been set to compensate.
For the northern countries, they will instead compete in the new Eight Nations tournament starting on November 14, which features all Six Nations sides as well as Fiji and Japan.
Dallaglio, a 2003 Rugby World Cup winner, references the Pakistan and West Indies cricket sides, who traveled to England within the last month and a half to compete in test series’ amid the global pandemic, as an example of how it could work.
Dallaglio told The Times Ruck Podcast they “have shown clearly you can come over to this country, you can self-isolate, put yourself in a bubble and you can play a test match series”.
“You can then self-isolate again before travelling home.
“It’s interesting, isn’t it? Everyone talks about the southern hemisphere sides not being able to travel and not wanting to travel – it’s definitely the latter.
“Clearly New Zealand, South Africa and Australia don’t want to come here.”
The 47-year-old is aware of the strong rivalry between England and New Zealand. He played in seven matches against the All Blacks, scoring one try. One of those games came in 2003 in Wellington – the last time England won on Kiwi soil.
“I’ve not been made party to the conversations, but there’s no reason why the All Blacks couldn’t come here stay in a hotel to self-isolate and play five and six test matches across the autumn.”
Instead of intentional encounters, New Zealand has enjoyed a stellar Super Rugby Aotearoa competition since the initial national lockdown, with a North Island versus South Island clash scheduled for the end of this month.
However, the latest strand of community transmission confirmed in South Auckland has left all future fixtures in limbo. That makes it extra difficult to plan any sort of international test or series, wherever it may be.
Dallaglio can understand apprehension attached to travel.
“Understandably so, there’s a little bit of self-interest going on at the moment. New Zealand are protecting what they have and looking at their recent matches you can understand why,” Dallaglio said.
“Australian rugby are just trying to get themselves sorted out in every single way, there’s lots going on there.”
New Zealand Rugby’s hopes of competing in a Bledisloe Cup series remain a possibility.
On Monday interim Rugby Australia CEO Rob Clarke was optimistic a series can go ahead, citing positive talks between the two governing bodies.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments