'It's important for the social and mental health of New Zealand... we have a moral obligation to get it going'
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson is self-isolating at home and the front door of the defending champions’ headquarters in suburban Christchurch is closed to all but staff and those who have essential appointments, but behind the scenes, it’s busier than ever.
According to Patrick McKendry of the New Zealand Herald, the Crusaders, along with New Zealand’s four other Super Rugby franchises, NZ Rugby and New Zealand’s Players’ Association are dedicating every working hour – and then some – on salvaging something from a season suspended and all but cancelled by the coronavirus pandemic.
New Zealand Rugby in lockdown over coronavirus concern
At this point, everyone is confident a Kiwi competition will get the go-ahead. It would be played in empty stadiums but will likely attract a sizeable national and international audience and is a much-needed focal point during a crisis that will have huge ramifications on the game and society in general.
The possibility of rugby returning has kept the players and staff at the Crusaders upbeat despite the knowledge that they cannot go for their fourth Super Rugby championship in a row (although they will have claims to it if they win next year).
Should the Kiwi competition be canned, however, the mood will plunge below Christchurch’s not entirely solid ground. “The thing about this place is that it’s amazing how people re-define opportunity or turn adversity into opportunity,” said Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge.
“If there was no competition and we got nothing away this year in terms of rugby the deflation would be very severe and the sense of purpose and meaning would diminish somewhat, there’s no doubt about that.
“If we get this comp up it’s a different situation; there’s something to strive for. We’re taking the view that the competition is important for the social and mental health of New Zealand and therefore we have a moral obligation to get it going if we can in a highly risk-managed environment.
“It might not be a Super title that’s on the line, but boy, to be striving to win perhaps the only competition available in the world this year – that’s pretty exciting and that’s the mindset.”
Mansbridge, like Robertson, assistant coach Jason Ryan, 23 players and other management staff, is under voluntary self-isolation after travelling home from Brisbane on Sunday following the team’s victory over the Sunwolves.
In a bid to mitigate against the possibility of self-isolation, team manager Shane Fletcher did not travel, and neither did assistant coach Mark Jones.
“My sense is we have strong support throughout the community, including… government connections, who seem to realise what we’re trying to do,” he said of a return to the playing field. “We’re not getting any pushback. As long as we can manage the risk… there’s a really good possibility it will get up.”
Quickly thinking on their feet in New Zealand https://t.co/XrLqq60Mil
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 17, 2020
The Crusaders are attempting to keep things as normal as possible. Conference calls have replaced meetings. “It’s surprising how quickly people have adapted,” he said. Those players who are self isolating are training at home or on the streets and those allowed in the Rugby Park gym do so in vastly reduced numbers and at different times.
“The overall principle we have picked up from the medical staff is that we should treat it like we’ve got the virus and don’t want to give it to others.”
WATCH: Legends of the All Blacks features some of the greatest players to have ever pulled on the iconic black jersey
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments