Midweek games further boost NZ Rugby coffers
Two non-test matches on the end of year tour will allow the All Blacks to tick development and revenuegenerating boxes.
After the Lions series, which could net New Zealand Rugby up to $40 million, coffers will be further boosted come November.
In the first of their likely fivematch tour, the All Blacks meet the Barbarians at Twickenham on November 4 to celebrate the invitational team’s 125th anniversary. This match alone is expected to see NZR pocket around $3.5 million, as it sits outside the test window.
Confirmation is yet to arrive after protracted negotiations around the status of the match, but reports out of France suggest the All Blacks will face a French selection in Lyon on November 15.
A second game in France won’t be agreed without another significant financial windfall. These matches allow the All Blacks to give fringe players valuable experience.
With a 37-man squad, the All Blacks will have plenty of cover. The likes of Crusaders centre Jack Goodhue, Highlanders first fiveeighth Lima Sopoaga, Hurricanes loose forward Vaea Fifita, Blues prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Chiefs hooker Nathan Harris could be among those to benefit most from these additional fixtures.
Goodhue was named in the All Blacks squad to take on the Lions as injury cover. While he didn’t take the field, it seems only a matter of time before his chance arrives. There is a bit of Conrad Smith about Goodhue. Certainly his decisionmaking under pressure and distribution — he has eight try assists this season to sit equal with Jordie Barrett and three behind brother Beauden — make him a compelling prospect.
Since his composed debut at Ellis Park back in 2015, Sopoaga has been forced to be patient. But with Aaron Cruden moving to France, the door is open to push his case and likely enjoy starting chances in these matches, though Damian McKenzie will also be hovering.
Tu'ungafasi falls into a similar bracket. Despite his scrummaging struggles in Super Rugby, the All Blacks have long been grooming him to step up. Charlie Faumuina’s departure to France should allow for his opportunity.
Fifita is an enticing athlete. Called up to last year’s end of season tour to provide second-row injury cover, the All Blacks believe he is best suited to loose forward. He made his debut against Samoa before the Lions series, and is a strong candidate to feature against the likes of the Baabaas.
Harris, the third-string hooker with Dane Coles back on deck, is another who has struggled for game time. Injuries, including a broken ankle, have restricted him to eight tests since 2014 but with starting chances in these matches, his upper body strength could come to the fore and offer a point of difference.