Left on the sidelines

The silence is deafening. New Zealand Rugby’s next public utterance must surely be about the women’s game — and hopefully imparting positive news about plans for a post-Covid kickstart.

So far we’ve heard a lot about the resumption of Super Rugby Aotearoa, the next All Blacks captain — even though tests seem like they’re a long way off — the timeframe for a turbocharged National Provincial Championship and even plans and guidelines for the imminent return of the community game.

That’s the men’s game covered off comprehensively, even if detail is predictably scant around what international footy might look like this year, and even beyond. Fair play there, what with everything that is going on in the world.

But nothing on the Farah Palmer Cup. Nothing on what may or may not be possible for the Black Ferns. Nothing on what’s happening with that fabulous sevens team whose globetrotting series looks grounded. Nothing on innovative intentions to spark the women’s game back into life.

There is a women’s World Cup in New Zealand next year, which represents a golden opportunity for the defending champion Black Ferns to capture the hearts and minds of a generation of Kiwis. It is time, surely, for the governors of the sport in this country to prioritise much-needed impetus for a side of the game that provides its greatest player number growth and most untapped potential.

The rumblings of discontent among the women’s rugby fraternity are real. Wellington player Alice Soper has made effective noise on social media about these issues. Good on her for speaking out. Others have also raised the metaphorical eyebrow. What on earth is happening? Is there anything to report? It is worth noting that New Zealand Rugby has a lot on its plate right now, so maybe we should cut them some slack. There are mass redundancies taking place as the organisation slashes back costs.

HQ is also dealing with a potential revenue drop of 70 per cent, close to $120 million down the gurgler. The professional game is not a cheap beast to feed not forgotten, but here is what we are working towards.

Thousands and thousands of players and coaches the length and breadth of the country, most of whom play this game for love, not money, deserve better. They deserve their own dose of good news amid the negativity of the Covid-ravaged sporting landscape.

GETTY IMAGES Regardless of the format or the tournament, the Black Ferns have celebrated titles in major championships around the world. But nothing has been heard about plans for the national women’s team, of any aspect of the women’s game post Covid-19.