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NZR's PR spin won't save face in sad day for Pacific rugby
The Tongan bloodbath fans were treated to at Mt Smart Stadium last night should never be allowed to happen again.
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This wasn’t a celebration of Pasifika rugby or a justifiable example of how strong the commitment is by New Zealand Rugby to grow its presence in this part of the world. Only a fool would believe otherwise.
In case you hadn’t heard; what we all expected would happen became a reality when the All Blacks kick-started their season with a 102-0 thrashing of a thoroughly under-prepared Tongan side.
With a game between the Maori All Blacks and Samoa kicking off proceedings on Saturday afternoon, the Pacific double-header was meant to be a happy occasion but ultimately ended in utter despair. It’s not hyperbole to suggest that at least a little bit of Tongan international rugby died on Saturday night, as the All Blacks continued to pile on try after try.
It was uncomfortable to watch; a pointless exercise in rugby try-scoring for the sake of it. Designed and executed to serve as an opportunity for the All Blacks to ease into their 2021 international campaign while being laughingly marketed as a “celebration” of Pasifika rugby.
Nobody was celebrating after this game, quite the opposite in fact.
The tears of Tongan captain Sonatane Takulua and some of the things this man said, particularly about many not understanding just what’s going on behind the scenes for Tonga (and likely the other Pacific nations) really speaks to the intense frustration of what’s been taking place for a long time now.
Furthermore, this was not the ideal or fair preparation for what Tonga has ahead of them; two crucial Rugby World Cup qualifiers against Samoa who are now battle-hardened after two clashes with the Maori.
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It’s a pointless exercise in going over some of the detail from Tonga’s latest hit out against the All Blacks, but let me humour you for a moment.
The All Blacks ran in four tries before a penalty, scrum, or even a lineout had taken place. That was early in the piece, but it would get worse after the halftime break. Five tries were scored in the 15 minutes after oranges, all to the team in black who would finished with a tally of 16 tries and 102 points on the board.
The All Blacks 102-0 win over Tonga didn't please everyone watching. #NZLvTON https://t.co/QieFqHKE5I
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 4, 2021
That alone should suggest that what we were treated to at Mount Smart Stadium was not test rugby.
Tonga missed 11 tackles in the opening 14 minutes of the game and were soundly lacking in all fundamentals on defence for most of the night. When they were able to string some phases together, a lack of cohesion in the backline was evident and resulted in a lot of passes being lost in behind.
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But any criticism of Tonga is as unfair as it is unwelcome. Nobody should be pointing the finger at coaches or players because they were sold down the river from the very outset.
Just look at the preparation – or lack thereof.
I’m talking about that country-wide sweep trying to find players eligible for Tongan duty from the club scene because the more established members were either stuck in MIQ or not available.
"If that’s possible, our team transforms." #NZLvTGAhttps://t.co/z9X10JqW72
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 4, 2021
I won’t add to the discussion around the well-documented eligibility rules and how they serve to the detriment of the Pacific sides, but that unsurprisingly played its part in the 102-0 demolition.
The natural reaction to such a scoreline is one of cynicism, but the question has to be asked, is New Zealand Rugby listening?
This fixture was organised on their watch and they’ll be the ones to take the majority of the gate takings. There is a reason why just 15,000 tickets were purchased for the All Blacks first-ever visit to Mount Smart and, that reason is rugby fans aren’t stupid.
They know an impending bloodbath when they see one, the respective PR spin by New Zealand Rugby hasn’t managed to fill a stadium in Super Rugby all season, and now that’s starting to float over to the biggest moneymaker in the sport, All Blacks home fixtures.
Maybe having a North vs South game or pitting the All Blacks up against the Maori might have been a better bet after all.
Meanwhile, the true victim in all of this is Tonga. Once again, they’re left to lick their wounds and find a way to pick themselves up with little to show for the occasion. There are many parties that are complicit in this, and they all need to take a big look in the mirror.
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
3 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
3 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments