Rugby: Sanzaar and NZR bosses respond to Jacinda Ardern’s political claims in the Rugby Championship decision

The heads of Sanzaar and New Zealand Rugby have expressed surprise at Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s suggestion that “politics” was behind the decision to award the Rugby Championship host rights to Australia.

Sanzaar CEO Andy Marinos and his NZR counterpart Mark Robinson were taken aback by the comments, insisting instead that more favorable quarantine regulations in the ditch were the reason the renewed four-nation tournament moved there.

the Herald He reported early Friday that the tournament, scheduled to start in November and originally destined for New Zealand, would move through Tasmania following a crucial meeting between representatives from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina.

However, Ardern insisted in a press conference shortly before the announcement that “Sanzaar’s policy” was to blame for the decision.

“We work very hard with the health and tournament workers to make it work.

“If this decision does not work in our favor, I would say it will be the result of Sanzaar’s policy more than anything else,” he said.

Speaking to Heather du Plessis-Allan of Newstalk ZB, Marinos denied Ardern’s comments.

“I have no idea, just a very interesting reflection point you have there. [Politics weren’t involved] in this decision at all, and all four parties were at the table. I can’t stress enough all the emphasis from the beginning … we had to make sure it was compliant and commercially viable and sustainable, “Marinos said.

“Second, our teams could go into a quarantine regime that would allow them to prepare and get in the best possible shape.”

Robinson agreed.

“No, I do not understand [Ardern’s comments], and it is certainly not the case. There is a lot of speculation.

“We have it very clear, Sanzaar has been very clear in his statement.

“We did our best because we know the significant impact it would have had on this country. We know that having six or more days of big games across the country … in addition to giving a boost to the nation, apart from the economic impact that would have had, it was something we all wanted. “

Sports Minister Grant Robertson defended the quarantine decisions by the government and health officials.

“I believe that [Ardern]It refers to the issue of border trade agreements.

“The reason we had the rules that we had on quarantine is because that’s the advice we get from the Ministry of Health. We worked with them and New Zealand Rugby on what we believed was a protocol and a training arrangement that would support both to the health and safety of the players … and giving them a training environment in which they can work.

“We came up with a viable proposal, it didn’t cross the line and that’s disappointing.

“No one would be more interested than me in seeing the Rugby Championship played in New Zealand. But we have to do it in a way that protects both the safety of the players on the teams and the safety and health of New Zealanders.”

Marinos says the planned schedule sees teams play six games in six weeks, which will greatly affect their bodies and require a sufficient amount of preparation.

“We cannot take lightly the fact that we have two countries [Argentina and South Africa] they have had a very limited and very restricted ability to play and prepare compared to what Australia and New Zealand have had, “he adds.

Marinos expects the teams from Argentina and South Africa, including players and staff, to have between 40 and 45 people each.

He says the quarantine was a big factor, as granting the ability for teams to go straight in with their full squads in Australia was more attractive than the 25-person bubble limits in New Zealand.

“[Coming over] going through a strict quarantine process certainly doesn’t help. “

There is something positive for New Zealand, which is slated to host two Bledisloe Cup matches, scheduled for October 17 and 24, probably in Auckland and Wellington.