'I think England’s going to struggle to win the World Cup with the current structure'
Former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick knows English rugby well, having settled in London following the conclusion of his playing career.
As a member of the Harlequins board he played a key role in brokering the partnership between the Gallagher Premiership club and New Zealand Rugby that was signed in March.
So, when Fitzpatrick suggests that England are unlikely to win the Rugby World Cup again while the current club system is in place, he cannot be accused of being ill-informed.
Of the 11 players listed as unavailable to England head coach Eddie Jones this November on the press release that heralded his latest squad last Thursday, 10 are missing due to injury.
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Nick Isiekwe, Billy Vunipola and his brother Mako, moreover, were injured in the same Heineken Champions Cup match and Fitzpatrick inferred that the workload international players are forced to shoulder in England is too great.
“I think England’s going to struggle to win the World Cup with the current structure of club and country,” he told RugbyPass on the sidelines of the Laureus Sport for Good Summit in Paris.
“The fatigue on the players is just… look at the injuries. A lot of that has to do with the number of games they’re playing, the intensity they’re having to work at.
“So (England will struggle) until that changes or there’s a better system in place.”
Unsurprisingly, given his ties to Harlequins, Fitzpatrick is not in favour of tinkering too much with the Premiership.
“It’s difficult,” he said. “The clubs pay the players, so until the RFU (Rugby Football Union) maybe invest more money in the clubs (it won’t change).
“But what we need to be careful of is that it’s not totally focused on international rugby, because the Premiership is good fun, it’s a good competition. But ultimately it’s effecting the performance of England.”
Under current RFU guidelines, which are due to be revised from next season, Premiership players are limited to 32 lots of 80 minutes per campaign, a figure few reach.
That limit is substantially higher than those which operate in New Zealand and Ireland, where central contracts mean the unions have a much greater say in how many – and which – games international players are involved in.
In Ireland, Leinster are poster boys of the potential benefits of such a system having built a squad of largely homegrown players that is capable of coping with the demands of PRO14, Champions Cup and Test rugby.
“It’s no surprise that the best two teams in the world are both centrally contracted. At the moment that’s telling you something, isn’t it?” Fitzpatrick said.
“I’ve thought for a while Joe (Schmidt, Ireland head coach) has done a great job there, and what he’s done also is create a lot of depth.
“I just think Leinster and the Crusaders are the best two club teams in the world which has created real depth.”
New Zealand take on Australia and Japan in Yokohama and Tokyo before travelling to Europe to play England, Ireland and Italy on successive Saturdays.
When England were in the midst of an 18-match unbeaten run, the November 10 visit of the All Blacks to Twickenham had been touted as a significant indicator for next year’s World Cup.
Ireland may well now offer the sterner test seven days later in Dublin, but whatever the result Fitzpatrick believes New Zealand’s hectic five-match schedule has been designed with the tournament in Japan in mind.
“They’re trying to replicate, I think, the knockout stages of the World Cup,” he said. “They’re doing a lot of travelling from Japan and it’s a really good test for them to go back-to-back because some of those players aren’t going to play both games.”
Fitzpatrick, who is chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, suggested All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and his fellow selectors had “cast the net pretty wide” in naming a 32-man squad for the tour that will be supplemented by 19 players for the match against Japan on November 3.
Those not included among the 51 names – such as Chiefs halfback Brad Weber – can probably start booking holidays for next September, according to the former skipper.
“I think Steve Hansen’s got his 40 players I’d say that he’s got lined up for the World Cup,” Fitzpatrick said.
“You’ve got to say whatever Steve Hansen’s doing, he’s doing it right. He never gives an All Blacks jersey away, there’s always a vision.
“We don’t have one-Test All Blacks, which says that they’re doing a great job in their development and scouting and finding players.”
One player who is just starting out on his All Blacks journey is Richie Mo’unga. With World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett standing in his way, the fly-half has started only one of his four Test appearances so far.
Mo’unga’s performances, both in his limited time in a black shirt and for the Crusaders in Super Rugby, have created a debate in New Zealand about whether he should be given playmaking duties full-time.
Fitzpatrick questions whether moving Ben Smith to the wing to accommodate Barrett at 15 would be worthwhile. “Playing the best full-back in the world on the right wing, is that the right thing to do?”
He believes the emergence of Mo’unga is merely further indication that Test rugby has truly become a 23-man game. “What they (All Blacks coaches) are enjoying is that Barrett’s got pressure on him, which they want,” he explained.
“(Mo’unga) didn’t start very well against South Africa but in Argentina and in Pretoria, outstanding off the bench which has given him a bit of confidence. And then you think back to Barrett, that’s where he made his name was off the bench, and got to a stage when they said ‘he’s got to start’.
“But I think the All Blacks now are looking at some of their best players might come off the bench in that last 20 minutes where they can make a real difference.”
Sean Fitzpatrick was speaking at the Laureus Sport for Good Global Summit in partnership with Allianz. Laureus Sport for Good uses the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ardie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
1 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to comments