Rugby: New Zealand Rugby refutes claims that they approved the Rugby Championship schedule

New Zealand Rugby has rejected reports that they have approved the Rugby Championship schedule, which could see the All Blacks spend Christmas Day in quarantine and has fueled the organization’s recent bitter feud with Rugby Australia.

NZR Chairman Brent Impey said leaked minutes of a meeting, allegedly involving Sanzaar CEOs, were “illegitimate.”

Last week, NZR expressed disappointment after Sanzaar, the Southern Hemisphere’s governing body for rugby, announced the Rugby Championship schedule that would see the All Blacks play their final game on December 12 and they would have to spend Christmas away. of their families due to the 14 years of the Government. -Day of the isolation regulations managed by Covid-19.

Australian media reported that leaked minutes of a meeting between Sanzaar CEOs show that New Zealand was not “surprised” by the announcement of the six-week tournament and that the draw was accepted by all.

“I am the president of Sanzaar and there has not been a meeting of the Sanzaar board since August 4,” said Impey.

“The notes that have been posted are not minutes of the board, and they have a fundamental error as far as we are concerned, which says that the six-week draw was agreed to by all. I can tell you that it was not you – we know, and Rugby Australia and Sanzaar know it.

“The notes also clearly refer to an impasse and there are many emails that prove this … our position has never changed.”

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern previously confirmed that isolation rules will not be relaxed for All Blacks players and staff crossing the ditch, meaning a rescheduling of games is the only hope at this stage of seeing the players. New Zealand players and staff join their families before December 25th. .

“Our goal is to try that the TRC [Rugby Championship] matter resolved, and we are not going to bother to participate in tit for tat in what were called notes, which were not minutes or minutes of the meeting, “said Impey.

“We challenge those who have commented on the integrity of NZR, we defend our position and we stand firm.”

Impey admitted there is still a lot to work out at the Rugby Championship, and says NZR CEO Mark Robinson and his colleagues are working on that process.

“There are a number of solutions; we don’t have one that we can present at this point … but it’s the most important thing,” adds Impey.

Despite suggestions that the New Zealand-Australian Rugby relationship is at an all-time low, Impey describes it as a “joke”.

“The relationship is not bad at all; we have had a couple of zoom meetings that have been positive.

“It is in our mutual interest to do so [work together], there are no obstacles in relationships as far as we’re concerned. “