[ad_1]
Ian Foster has dismissed reports that several senior All Blacks players could choose not to play in the Rugby Championship for family reasons.
Sanzaar’s decision to grant the Rugby Championship host rights to Australia has added an additional complication for New Zealand Rugby as the All Blacks players and staff are set for an unusual and extended stay during the season. festive in its neighboring country.
The Rugby Championship is scheduled to run from November 7 to December 12. If the All Blacks flew back to New Zealand on December 13, they would enter a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival in their home country, meaning they will all miss Christmas with their families as they will only be out of isolation. December 27th.
ALSO READ: Pollard’s injury features a flyhalf puzzle
Reports from New Zealand over the weekend suggested that Beauden Barrett, whose wife is expecting a baby at the end of the month, and Richie Mo’unga and TJ Perenara, who became parents for the first time recently, could be facing a decision over yes to participate in the tournament.
Speaking to the media on Monday, All Blacks coach Foster said that several of their star players may be ready not to be available for the Rugby Championship.
Foster also confirmed that plans were in the works to close the Rugby Championship on December 5 or 6. The proposed new ending of the tournament would allow players to be back with their families before December 19.
“The way they were informed was not correct,” Foster said. ‘They were quoting players who were not quoted. I’m not sure how people can get away with it.
“Many media said they were going to come out at Christmas. We have been able to get data on that and now we are getting more information, we are talking to the players one by one and analyzing their situations.
“Each player will be a little different. But I have not heard of any player who will not come. What I have heard from some players is that they have some questions, and that is something completely different and purely natural.
Regarding the upcoming Bledisloe Cup matches against the Wallabies, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Tuesday that the details of the quarantine had been changed to allow the Australian team to begin training three days after their arrival in New Zealand.
Based on this, Foster was confident that the Wallabies would agree to travel to New Zealand, as they would now have a 13-day prep period before the first test.
‘I hope they get on a plane and come play with us that weekend [13 October]’Foster said. ‘They’ll have nine full days of training in isolation, then another four full days, which effectively gives them 13 full days. That equates to the All Blacks’ prep time of a three-day camp, a four-day camp, and then a six-day trial week.
‘[That] It has given us a situation where both teams have enough, adequate and equal time to prepare and I can’t wait for them to come. ”
ALSO READ: Dyantyi reaches a professional crossroads
Photo: Phil Walter / Getty Images
[ad_2]
