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World Rugby reacts to shock All Blacks cancellation claim

By Online Editors
Steve Hansen. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

By Liam Napier, NZ Herald

World Rugby has refuted reports that the All Blacks turned down the chance to play their final Rugby World Cup pool match against Italy on Monday.

Yesterday World Rugby announced the cancellation of at least two matches – the All Blacks against Italy and England’s game with France. More cancellations may follow due to the threat of Typhoon Hagibis.

Both games were cancelled due to safety concerns, with the sport’s governing body claiming there were no other options available.

Reports since emerged suggesting the game between the All Blacks and Italy could have been postponed until Monday. The All Blacks were, supposedly, not willing to compromise their quarter-final, scheduled for Saturday, October 19 – with only five days to prepare.

Quite why they would agree to jeopardise their chances of progression is another matter.

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Former English player and Telegraph columnist Brian Moore fuelled the fire after claiming on Twitter the All Blacks insisted on sticking to the usual schedule.

“I’m told New Zealand, and this comes from the people I spoke to, not me, insisted on sticking rigidly to the rules because they didn’t want a shorter turnaround before the 1/4 finals. They are perfectly entitled to take this view,” said Moore.

But in a brief statement issued to the Herald today, a World Rugby spokesperson rejected these reports.

“Categorically untrue,” the World Rugby spokesperson said. “Monday was not on the cards. We have to treat all teams/matches fairly, not the few, and that was central to our contingency plans process relating to a dynamic and complex adverse weather situation.

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“We looked at a whole range of prepared contingencies for the weekend’s matches. However, as outlined yesterday, it was impossible to provide a consistent and fair approach to all teams across the tournament that could guarantee safety, venue integrity or transport networks owing to the sheer scale of a super typhoon with a dimeter of 1,400km. This is a fundamental. It would have been grossly irresponsible to endanger public or tournament safety.”

Such a situation would make sense. World Rugby is obligated to apply the same rules to everyone. Having cancelled England’s game against France and the All Blacks and Italy, the governing body may now have to do likewise if Japan’s final pool game against Scotland can’t go ahead.

Italian captain Sergio Parisse earlier hit out at the decision to cancel their match against the All Blacks.

“If New Zealand needed four or five points against us it would not have been cancelled,” Parisse said. “It is ridiculous that a decision of this nature has been made because it isn’t like the fans arrived yesterday. It is ridiculous that there was no Plan B, because it isn’t news that typhoons hit Japan.

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“Sure, everyone might think that Italy versus New Zealand being cancelled counts for nothing because we’d have lost anyway, but we deserved to be respected as a team.”

Steve Hansen said yesterday he supported World Rugby’s decision and that the All Blacks didn’t have a choice in the matter. If they did, the All Blacks were happy to play their game against Italy one day earlier than scheduled when conditions to stage the match were fine.

“If we’d had a choice, we would have rather played Friday [instead of Saturday] but it wasn’t our choice, it was out of our control,” Hansen said. “We have to back World Rugby’s decision and if other teams miss out, it’s unfortunate, it’ll be disappointing.

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“If you want to be really ruthless, then it’s all about making sure you win the games on the way through because everyone knew this could be a possibility.

“That’s pretty hard-nosed, though, because I know if we were in their situation we’d be disappointed not to have the opportunity to get there. So yes, there’s a lot of sympathy for them. But the right decisions are being made, because it’s all about safety.”

Scotland are now threatening legal action if their final pool match against Japan is cancelled and they, therefore, don’t get a chance to fight for a place in the quarterfinal.

A cancellation would result in the match being declared a 0-0 draw which would almost certainly eliminate Scotland from the competition.

This article first appeared in nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.

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Bull Shark 1 hours 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.

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