Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Steve Tew backs up Steve Hansen's plea to World Rugby

By Online Editors
NZR CEO Steve Tew. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew has supported All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen after the latter expressed concerns about how test rugby is officiated, urging World Rugby to take ownership.

Tew said in his post-board meeting conference call with media that he wasn’t surprised to hear complaints after June window riddled with controversial refereeing calls.

“If there’s a pleasing thing for me it’s that everything has erred on the side of player safety,” Tew said Monday.

“I agree with Steve that the situation is very fluid. We’ve got bigger, fitter and faster athletes involved with more collisions than ever before and we’re going to have to constantly be going back and looking at things.

“I understand the frustrations of some coaches. Steve is not the only one who has had a few words to say. World Rugby, at the rugby committee level, will continue to look at stuff and make changes we think are in the best interests of the game.”

Continue reading below

Video Spacer

Tew also confirmed the All Blacks’ third test against France exceeded budgeted income despite falling “a few hundred [tickets] short” of being a sellout.

He also commented on the June series that took place across the ditch between Australia and Ireland.

“They had a great series and a sellout [in Sydney]. While their Super teams haven’t been performing as we would have wanted, the Wallabies are certainly back and interest in them was incredibly high, as it was with the All Blacks,” Tew said.

“Viewership numbers from Sky are very encouraging for this last series.

“Those predicting the demise of test rugby might just want to take a deep breath. Indications from June are very positive and the same can be said for the series in South Africa.”

The All Blacks will next assemble in August for the Rugby Championship. They kick off their campaign against Australia in Sydney on August 18, before hosting the side at Eden Park the next weekend.

ADVERTISEMENT

In other news:

Video Spacer

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 30 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

26 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Dean Richards set for return to rugby management Dean Richards set for return to rugby management
Search