Barbarians clash was never at risk, says Tew
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew says the All Blacks clash with the Barbarians was never at risk of being vetoed by the Rugby Football Union.
The suggestion English rugby would put paid to the clash at Twickenham, in retaliation to not being able to play the All Blacks themselves, was ‘‘unwarranted’’ and false according to Tew.
Without confirming the fixture himself, stating that World Rugby had yet to officially sign off on the Barbarians clash, Tew made clear who New Zealand’s opposition would be in November.
While less lucrative financially than playing England, he said playing the Barbarians would still make the union a substantial amount of money.
Tew was particularly clear on the RFU’s involvement in talks this past month about an England clash, however, saying there was no ultimatum made by his English counterpart.
‘‘The English union have played a very straight bat,’’ Tew said. ‘‘In my view, any criticism of their actions in regard to approving or not approving games is completely unwarranted.
‘‘I have been talking to [RFU chief] Ian Ritchie, and any criticism of his integrity in this matter is completely unfair and certainly not based on any fact.’’
Rumour had it that Ritchie was prepared to veto the All Blacks’ clash with the Barbarians as a way to try and force through an England clash. Those rumours were false.
‘‘As you know, for some time we’ve been looking at an additional game or games, for that matter, as per the coaches’ desire, and also to make sure we generate the additional revenue we need to make the year work,’’ Tew said.
‘‘Our first preference for that was to play the Barbarians, and we for some time have had an agreement with the Barbarians in place.
‘‘In the meantime, we have kept open dialogue with several other parties to make sure we had a ‘Plan B’ if we needed it. The RFU were one of those parties. That’s the extent of what’s been happening.’’
In other words, a potential England clash wasn’t something that materialised out of thin air, or the loud requests of one Eddie Jones. It has been on the table for a long period of time, but the Barbarians clash was always the first option.