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Aaron Smith and Sam Cane for the All Blacks
Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP
A number of All the black people could decide to sit outside the Rugby championship following Friday’s announcement that the tournament will be played in Australia.
According to a report from Stuff.co.nz, the fact that players must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Australia and then again for 14 days when they return home to New Zealand causes several players to seriously consider their options.
Chief among their concerns is that if the Rugby Championship is played from November 7 to December 12 as proposed, a two-week quarantine after the conclusion of the competition would mean players would only come out of isolation on December 27. and they would lose spending Christmas Day with their peers. families.
There is also the added concern that in the case of any kind of family emergency, players would not be able to travel home and be with their loved ones at any time.
There are also specific complications for playmaker Beauden Barrett, whose wife Hannah is expecting a baby girl at the end of the month, as well as Richie Mo’unga and TJ Perenara, who recently became parents for the first time.
NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson acknowledged the problem on Friday.
“We want to make sure that whoever represents the All Blacks does so in a safe environment where they feel happy and comfortable,” Robinson said.
“We are extremely supportive of our players. We know they have been through an incredibly difficult time this year. This challenge of what they are about to undertake will be significant and we will support them and their families in whatever way we need to to ensure.” Are served. If that means they can’t meet or travel, we will listen and support you. “
Robinson said there was an opportunity for teams in the Rugby Championship to play their final match on the weekend of December 5-6, thus being able to complete their quarantine before Christmas, but that would naturally leave other teams with the burden.
“Those talks have been active between Sanzaar, Rugby Australia and New Zealand for some time,” said Robinson.
“We know that in Australia there are a lot of teams that have been away from their homes for some time. Our guys will be on tour for nine to ten weeks, so we are very aware of where they will be at Christmas.”
Negotiations are expected to continue in the coming days and weeks, but with little room for maneuver, the participation of some All Black players is currently considered doubtful.
– TEAMtalk Media
