Super rest policy is here for long haul
LIKE IT or not – and Highlanders fans certainly have their view – prescribed rest for All Blacks in Super Rugby is here to stay.
And that, says the broker of a national policy that Super Rugby and All Black coaches have all bought into, is a good thing for the long-term wellbeing of the New Zealand game.
NZR’s high-performance manager Don Tricker led the difficult process whereby the national and franchise coaches agreed on the plan that sees All Blacks receiving at least two games of mandatory rest during the Super Rugby season. The strategy also factors in a compulsory 12-week break between seasons for all touring All Blacks.
Both are key components in allowing New Zealand’s elite players to perform at the highest level they can for their franchises and their country, Tricker says.
‘‘The desired outcome is All Blacks performing for their Super Rugby teams and for the All Blacks. It’s not about the All Blacks winning and Super Rugby losing, or Super Rugby winning and the All Blacks losing.
‘‘It’s about putting the athlete in the centre and creating a single plan for the athlete for the year.’’
Despite some franchises – namely the Highlanders – finding it problematic to fit in games off for their stars, Tricker said the programme was a necessity.
‘‘We know if players play 16 or 17 games on the trot with a couple of byes thrown in, their ability to fire in the playoffs is compromised.
‘‘We also need to create real competition for places in squads, and the only way to do that is through opportunities to play.
‘‘In many ways it’s business as usual, with Super Rugby teams utilising their squads to give themselves a shot at the playoffs. The reality is to go deep in the finals you need your big players fresh to perform.’’
There was not a ‘‘one-size-fitsall’’ approach, but rather tailored individual plans.
He also explained the importance of the 12-week between seasons break which will become easier as the Super Rugby start date pushes back from 2016.
‘‘The first four weeks are holiday to reconnect with families etc, the next two weeks are about getting conditioned to train, and the last six weeks about being conditioned to play.’’
After getting positive feedback from players, Tricker confirmed the policy would be ongoing.
New Zealand rugby is simply doing what is required to work through a rugby season that’s long and unforgiving on players.
‘‘With no sign of the proposed global season ever getting across the line, it’s now about making compromises, or driving players into the ground.
‘‘The reality is, if you want sustained success, it’s your squad that’s going to deliver that, not a subset of that squad,’’ Tricker said. ‘‘Through spreading the load we are going to build depth, become less reliant on one or two individuals, and create internal competition. That’s where performances can break through ceilings.’’