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'I don't think they should go ahead': Sir John Kirwan reveals concerns over upcoming All Blacks tests
All Blacks great Sir John Kirwan has revealed he has deep concerns about New Zealand’s upcoming test matches against Tonga and Fiji in July.
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The two Pacific Island nations are scheduled to face the All Blacks in New Zealand between July 3 and July 17, but Kirwan told The Breakdown on Monday he fears the two touring teams will be greatly underprepared to face Ian Foster’s side.
The test will be Tonga’s first international rugby match since they defeated the United States at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Since that tournament, Fiji have played one test against Georgia as part of last November’s Autumn Nations Cup campaign.
The Flying Fijians were scheduled to also play France, Italy and Scotland in that tournament, but were unable to as COVID-19 ravaged their squad.
The lack of tests played by Tonga and Fiji since the World Cup is a source of concern for Kirwan, as is the availability of their best players.
Many of Tonga’s and Fiji’s top players play their club rugby in Europe. The English and French club finals are scheduled for June 26, while the semi-finals and qualifying finals will be played in the weeks beforehand.
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With the All Blacks scheduled to play Tonga on July 3, and then Fiji the following two weeks, most players from those countries involved in the Premiership and Top 14 play-offs are likely to be unavailable for selection due to travel and quarantine restrictions.
That could prevent Fiji’s World Cup stars – such as Semi Radradra (Bristol Bears), Josua Tuisova (Lyon), Peni Ravai and Peceli Yato (both Clermont), Waisea Naiyacalevu (Stade Francais), Levani Botia (La Rochelle), Tevita Cavubati (Harlequins) and Filipo Nakosi (Castres) – from playing the All Blacks.
Likewise for Tonga, Bristol Bears midfielder Siale Piutau, Bordeaux prop Ben Tameifuna, Stade Francais fullback Telusa Veainu, Castres No 8 Maama Vaipulu and Exeter Chiefs hooker Elvis Taione could all miss the trip to New Zealand depending on how their club seasons end.
The All Blacks, meanwhile, will have a full player pool to select from, with all of their players – bar Top League returnees Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick and TJ Perenara – having endured two Super Rugby competitions alongside each other to ready themselves for Tonga and Fiji.
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With the Pasifika nations likely to be undermanned with minimal time to prepare for the All Blacks, Kirwan said New Zealand-based players of Tongan and Fijian heritage should be allowed to play for those countries to help boost their playing stocks.
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The 63-test wing added those players should still be eligible to play for the All Blacks in the future because he believes that, without those players, Tonga and Fiji will struggle for competitiveness.
Such a move could see the likes of Sevu Reece, Hoskins Sotutu, Alex Hodgman, Salesi Rayasi, Pita Gus Sowakula, Jona Nareki, George Bower, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Manasa Mataele, Emoni Narawa, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Chay Fihaki turn out for Fiji.
Kiwi stars with Tongan heritage – such as Ngani Laumape, Ofa Tuungafasi, Shannon Frizell, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Tupou Vaa’i, Vaea Fifita, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Sione Havili Talitui – would also be available for the ‘Ikale Tahi if Kirwan’s proposal is put into practice.
“I’m actually worried about those games. I don’t think they should go ahead unless we free the guys of Tongan and Fijian descent from here, and don’t ban them from playing [for the All Blacks] in the future, and their players from Europe,” Kirwan said.
Instead, the 56-year-old called for the return of the North vs South clash, which was played last year for the first time since 2012, or for a Possibles vs Probables match, which hasn’t been played since 2005.
“I’d rather see a North vs South or a Possibles vs Probables with Beauden at No 10 and Mo’unga the other No 10 and mix the two forward packs up. I’d go and see that game every day of the week.
“I want to see Pasifika rugby get the chance, but are they going to be prepared to be able to play a battle-hardened group of players that have just come off two amazingly difficult tournaments?
“That’s my biggest worry. It’s no use getting Richie Mo’unga out there against Fiji if we’re going to beat them by 60 or 70 or 80. We’re not going to learn anything, so that’s my biggest concern.”
Former All Blacks utility back Mils Muliaina supported Kirwan’s comments as he questioned how playing understrength teams would benefit the All Blacks.
“Labelling the association and players as greedy is facile and disingenuous.”
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“I’ll have to agree,” Muliaina told The Breakdown. “The fact is you’re not going to get the best players. They’ve got to come all the way from Europe. Will their clubs let them go? What do you get out of it?
“The fact is COVID is a massive thing, so we have to get some games or some test matches underway.
“What are the results going to be? They won’t be competitive at all, so where does that put the Pacific Island nations?”
Muliaina highlighted the Australian franchise’s winless start to Super Rugby Trans-Tasman as an example of how damaging it can be to play Kiwi sides after a prolonged period without having faced them.
“I know you’ve got to start somewhere, but look at where the Aussies have come in terms of Super Rugby Aotearoa compared to AU. We’re going to another level [of that by playing Tonga and Fiji].
“It’s a real concern to me, really.”
The All Blacks are scheduled to face Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium on July 3 before taking on Fiji at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on July 10 and at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on July 17.
Tonga will also play two World Cup qualifiers against Samoa in New Zealand on July 10 and July 17, with the second match to be a curtain raiser to the All Blacks-Fiji test in Hamilton.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments