Provinces welcome back ABs but boost will be limited
The ABs may be available in only the first couple of weeks of the Mitre 10 Cup and, writes Paul Cully, provincial unions are already making plans without them.
The Mitre 10 Cup kicks off next weekend with a hint of nostalgia in the air.
The provincial unions are expected to have their All Blacks on deck, raising the prospect that Beauden Barrett and Jordie Barrett will front for Taranaki against the Bay of Plenty on Sunday at Inglewood.
It’s old school, and the unions will no doubt enjoy benefit from the feelgood factor it generates.
However, provincial rugby bosses say the focus on All Blacks is missing the point for this year’s competition, for two reasons.
First, they might be available for just the first two weeks of the competition before the All Blacks grab them back, potentially putting them on a plane to Australia and into a two-week quarantine period before two Bledisloe tests.
Second, the bigger picture for cup teams is getting back to Covid-19 alert level 1 so fans will be able to get into grounds, and then providing a good experience for them once they get there. ‘‘The key part is, and this has been discussed at a higher level, is around fan engagement,’’ said Shannon Paku, the chief executive of Manawatu¯, where All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith hasn’t played since 2011.
‘‘It’s a recognition that rugby is an entertainment business, and we’ve got to make sure that people coming along are entertained. When we look at people attending games, it ranges from toddlers through to adults, so what can we provide through that spectrum to make sure there is something for everyone?’’
Taranaki chief executive Laurence Corlett agreed. ‘‘ It’s really not about the rugby this year; it’s about using rugby as chance to get people together.
‘‘We’ve gone to Inglewood, which is a boutique ground, and we want to be family friendly and have heaps of different food options. It’s about celebrating rugby for what it is – community and getting out to see people.’’
Those plans are a far cry from earlier in the year, when there were suggestions the All Blacks would pile into their provincial colours en masse, recreating the glory days of the NPC.
However, many working in provincial rugby are deeply pragmatic characters. They love their
All Blacks, but have learned how to live without them.
‘‘We’re expecting to see Aaron Smith for the first few rounds, but how many that is for I’m not too sure,’’ Paku said. ‘‘ The situation is so fluid at the moment. [But] for us having the likes of Aaron back, and potentially Ngani [Laumape], when he’s fit again, is a bonus for us.
‘‘We’re factoring in them not being around, and if they are it’s an absolute bonus.’’
Corlett hopes the Barretts can assemble with the Taranaki squad early next week, but not for financial reasons.
‘‘ It’s just good to see them playing for Taranaki,’’ Corlett said. ‘‘It will create a lot of goodwill and pride in Taranaki.’’
Privately, some provincial
union bosses will tell you that the All Blacks horse has long since bolted, and adding an All Black to the teamsheet once or twice a year has only a minor impact on gate takings. Paku also noted the commercial benefits were hard to quantify.
‘‘For us, it’s more the lift that he’ll give the team,’’ Paku said of Smith. ‘‘If you get someone like Aaron and you saw what Ngani was able to do for the team last year, and we’re seeing it here with Nehe [Milner-Skudder] running around at the moment.
‘‘The guys are looking at them and thinking, ‘Wow, this is cool.’ That’s the real, intangible benefit for us. Potentially, there could be a financial windfall from it, but I think it would be good from a morale perspective.’’
So, how do the provincial unions get by this year, especially with the country at alert level 2 for the opening round of fixtures, at least?
Paku is optimistic the return to level 1, when it comes, will release some pent-up demand.
‘‘Super Rugby Aotearoa was a good example of what can happen,’’ he said. ‘‘ It’s supply and demand. When something isn’t available, you want it even more. It’s human nature. If we could get crowds, it’ll be great, and I think we’ll get good crowds in.’’
Corlett said the Inglewood venue could still accommodate a few hundred people in separate bubbles at level 2, but sensed a real hunger for live events when the alert level goes back to 1. ‘‘When you haven’t been seeing much rugby you miss it,’’ he said.
‘‘Over the last couple of years we’ve had a diet of too much rugby. We need to play more games during the day, engage with the fans, and get more people into the ground watching it live.’’
As for drawcards Laumape and Milner-Skudder, Paku said both were jumping out of their skin to get some game time.
‘‘Ngani will get his cast off in the next week- and- a- half. He’s working hard, and he’s got a massive fire in his belly. He is pretty disappointed because he was really hitting his straps when he got injured.’’