Rugby Australia regains upper hand in trans-Tasman talks after NZ administrators botch ending to their competition
The Kiwis thought they had it over Rugby Australia in their negotiations to create a trans-Tasman competition, but in mangling their own domestic competition, New Zealand has lost its power, writes JULIAN LINDEN.
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By completely botching the ending to their own domestic competition, New Zealand Rugby’s out of touch administrators have lost any advantage they had over Rugby Australia in the negotiations to create a trans-Tasman competition.
The brainless decision by the Kiwis to copy English soccer’s first-past-the-post system instead of holding a grand final has just backfired in spectacular fashion.
Not only has it engineered the mother of all dud finishes with the Crusaders having wrapped up the title with a full round of matches still to be played, but it’s also exposed the Kiwis’ strongman approach to dealing with RA as nothing more than bluster.
RA officials have known that all along but now they’re openly calling the Kiwis’ bluff because the momentum has shifted around so quickly.
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While the NZ competition fizzled out after an explosive start – even the Crusader’s breakdancing coach Scott Robertson didn’t bother doing a jig after his side were presented with a wooden trophy – Australia’s domestic tournament has done the opposite and is now gathering strength and credibility with the finals still a month away.
Australia’s domestic tournament has done the opposite and is now gathering strength and credibility with the finals still a month away.
“This was always going to happen, the Australian comp – as it gets to the pointy end – was always going to be tight,” NSW captain Michael Hooper said.
“I think the comp is looking really good. Now you‘re starting to see some really good skills in the Aussie teams and some different styles of rugby, which is exciting.”
The last two weeks have produced some exceptional moments and unpredictable results that have given RA all the confidence they need to push ahead with Plan B to run a competition without New Zealand teams.
That may include sides from Japan and the Pacific but the message RA chairman Hamish McLennan is delivering could not be any clearer: Australia can – and will – go it alone unless NZR drops its outrageous demands.
RA’s preference is still to create a 10-team trans-Tasman competition but NZR’s take it or leave approach has led RA to develop an alternative proposal, which is now well advanced and has already been discussed with broadcasters before it will be formally presented in the next few weeks.
It’s up the Kiwis if they want to be a part of it and if they don’t, RA has made another thing clear: the offer for NZ to host a pool if Australia is awarded the 2027 Rugby World Cup will be taken off the table.
Meanwhile, Brookvale Oval is emerging as the most likely venue for the round nine showdown between the Waratahs and the Rebels on August 29 that will have a huge bearing on the makeup of the finals.
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With Victoria off limits, the Rebels have first choice on where to play their matches in Sydney and are understood to be leaning towards Lottoland – which they may also use as their home base if they host a playoff match.
The match against NSW is already shaping as the decisive fixture in the run home with the Rebels currently second on the table after upsetting the previously undefeated Brumbies on Friday and the Waratahs now in third spot after their demolition job over Queensland on Saturday.
The Reds are unsure when Jordan Petaia will return after he withdrew from the match against NSW following the sudden death of his father.
Team officials have told the 20-year-old sensation just to take as long he needs before deciding when to come back.