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New Zealand Rugby has refuted the Prime Minister’s claim that the “Sanzaar policy” cost this country the opportunity to host the Rugby Championship, putting the blame just and squarely at the foot of the government-proposed quarantine protocols. .
Sanzaar announced on Friday that Australia would host a six-week, 12-match rejigged Rugby Championship between November 7 and December 12, beating New Zealand in a two-horse race to host the event that also includes South Africa and Argentina. .
NZ Rugby confirmed that the economic impact of that decision could cost the country up to $ 100 million in lost revenue and outlined exactly why the decision had gone in Australia’s favor.
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NZ Rugby boss Mark Robinson says the Rugby Championship decision came down to government border protocols.
“We have worked very closely with the government on the protocols they have,” NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson said in a zoom call with reporters on Friday. “We have understood and respected the protocols they have. When you look at it between the two countries, in Australia the teams land, and from day one they are in a separate bubble training in an unrestricted environment and they can do the full training they need to prepare for the test matches.
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“In New Zealand the teams land, they are isolated for four days, from days 5-7 they are in a bubble of 15 that does not allow teams to train in full squads, and from days 8-14, they are in a bubble of 25, which is also restrictive and makes it difficult for teams to want to prepare.
“When you consider the positions of the Pumas and South Africa… with the lack of rugby they have had, landing and having to be bound by those protocols was going to make things incredibly difficult.
“This is how it is. We worked incredibly hard to see if we could loosen the restrictions around those bubbles, but that’s where the government finally landed and had an important role to play in the decision. “
When asked about Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s comment that “Sanzaar politics” would be behind any decision in favor of Australia, Robinson said that was not her opinion.
“It has become very clear from all the statements made and it is certainly in the [Sanzaar] I called last night, quarantine protocols were very important in this decision and ultimately it meant Australia had a really positive environment for teams to fly and prepare. “
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The All Blacks will have to take their Rugby Championship show on tour, after twin Bledisloes in New Zealand.
Australia was also boosted, Robinson said, by his government’s financial backing to host the tournament.
“It would be fair to say that they have had support from the government at various levels around the approval of the crowds, the quarantine arrangements they have been able to implement and some financial support,” he said.
Robinson confirmed that after much discussion, the New Zealand quarantine position he described had been the best scenario that the New Zealand government was willing to accept.
“There was some progress at the end of the piece with the bubble size moved from 15 to 25, but any attempt to increase it was unsuccessful. The main reason presented was that it did not conform to health protocols. “
The Kiwi rugby chief said that the failure to host the championship, after being anointed as the favorite candidate, was hugely disappointing, but that it was important to move quickly and prepare for what was happening, which included two Bledisloe Cup events in this country in October.
Robinson declined to comment on whether Election Day on Oct. 17 was a possible Bledisloe date and said details were still being worked out. The government has said that it would not hamper a test that day.
He also carefully dodged a question about whether the upcoming elections might have worked against any hope of a more liberal approach to the border for the championship. “I’m not going to speculate on that,” he said. “I don’t know. The elections are important junctures in politics.”
Robinson also confirmed that holding the Rugby Championship in Australia would not have a noticeable impact on New Zealand’s revenue. “The difference between being in New Zealand and Australia was not significant, and it is not important to us,” he said. However, they would likely have to pay the team’s quarantine bill upon their return.
There is also a good chance that the championship will end before the final date discussed on December 12, Robinson confirmed. An ending then would require All Blacks to still be in border quarantine on Christmas Day.
“That is a perspective that Sanzaar is working on right now with Rugby Australia and we will be part of those conversations. Both countries pose scenarios where the tournament could end on [December 5-6]. We know that a lot of Australian players have been away from their homes for some time, and our guys will be on tour now for 9-10 weeks, so we are very aware of where they will be at Christmas. “
Robinson also addressed the possibility that some All Blacks may not want to play in the Rugby Championship due to what would be a nine to ten week commitment away from home.
“Our guys have been very supportive and we want to make sure whoever represents the All Blacks does so in a safe environment where they feel happy and comfortable. Some of those conversations started early today by understanding where the players and management aligned with their circumstances. “
With Argentina and South Africa set to bring expanded squads of up to 46 to the championship, the current 35 composition of the All Blacks would be evaluated, and potentially expanded if necessary.
Robinson also said that Argentina’s ongoing battles with the Covid-19 virus and South Africa’s international travel restrictions were anticipated not to compromise its ability to take on the championship.
“In last night’s call, both South Africa and Argentina were very committed to the tournament. There is no sign at this point that he would not move on. South Africa has pointed out some scenarios in terms of being able to go out and we are sure that the way Argentina is containing Covid is in line with the proper health protocols. At the moment it is very positive ”.
