Backing for Pasifika team
The pressure is growing on New Zealand Rugby to admit a Pasifika team into Super Rugby in 2021 after the players’ union threw its full weight behind the plan.
In an impassioned plea, New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association chief executive Rob Nichol told Stuff that he was convinced there was enough playing and coaching depth to build a competitive Pasifika side in 2021, and that the islands had been ‘‘left out’’ by southern hemisphere bosses when they formed Super Rugby 25 years ago.
‘‘We identified some time ago this could be the opportunity to get Pasifika that opportunity,’’ Nichol said.
‘‘We’ve done a lot of work in that area, with New Zealand Rugby and other partners, and we are very positive that something could happen as early as next year.
‘‘We’re looking forward to continuing those conversations about making that a reality, because it would bring so much.
‘‘Sometimes we need to stop and remind ourselves of the sheer talent, the passion, the colour, the values and what it does for the Pacific communities as well.
‘‘We want to see that thrive. I think it’s struggled for 25 years since the game went professional.’’
The drums have been beating for a Pasifika team for a long time, and NZ Rugby’s Aratipu Report highlighted a ‘‘huge desire’’ for the team when it was released in July.
NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson revealed last week that there had been eight expressions of interest for an additional Super Rugby team, and indicated a decision on 2021 could be made within the next fortnight.
Some within the game still hold reservations about whether a Pasifika side could be competitive in 2021, but Nichol brushed aside those concerns.
‘‘Is the coach and management expertise around to make it work?
Yes, it is,’’ Nichol said.
‘‘Is the player depth around to put a team on the field that can be competitive? We believe there is.
‘‘Can that be pulled together in a way that can produce credible performances next year? For what it’s worth from a NZRPA perspective, yes we believe it can.
‘‘A large amount [of players] are here. There’s great Pasifika talent at Mitre 10 Cup, some Pasifika talent in Australia, and good Pasifika talent in the islands.
‘‘Regardless of who the team is, it’s there.’’
The lack of a Pasifika team in the southern hemisphere has meant talent has been scattered all around the globe.
Players such as Semi Radradra, Charles Piutau and Taqele Naiyaravoro are currently running rampant in England, and Nichol admitted ‘‘feelers had been put out’’ to Europe-based talent with a view to them returning to play in Super Rugby.
‘‘I don’t think for 2021 you’d want to rely on that,’’ Nichol said. ‘‘ . . . but if the leadership is there and it’s going to happen, you are going to see some players put their hand up.
‘‘There are a number playing up the UK right now who might look at this and think ‘you know what, if I can get home and play for that team, and there’s a future beyond 2021, I’m ready to do that’.
‘‘We know from feedback there is a large number of players from overseas who’d be very interested in a fully fledged Super Rugby team that is for Pasifika, by Pasifika, and would underpin their international teams.’’
NZRPA’s support for the Pasifika side is part of its broader vision for the game, Nichol said, and cautioned NZ Rugby against putting it in the ‘too hard’ basket, even though there are hurdles to clear.
Regardless of how the bidding process plays out, Nichol noted that Pacific Islands rugby had been ignored for decades, a mistake he did not want to see repeated.
‘‘We’ve got an opportunity to make that right,’’ he said. ‘‘And we cannot let it slip.’’
There will be a different slant on the Mitre 10 Cup as All Blacks wave goodbye to their provinces and begin preparing for their first test matches of 2020 in Whakata¯ ne from today.
The opening two rounds have featured most of Ian Foster’s first All Blacks squad. Their involvement has been overwhelmingly positive, but it was never going to last once a test schedule was finally confirmed.
Nevertheless, the highlight of round two was Taranaki’s thrilling Ranfurly Shield raid in Christchurch and All Blacks fullback Jordie Barrett booted another monstrous penalty to steal the Shield from Canterbury with a
23-22 triumph on Saturday. The contest pitted two of the world’s best playmakers, Richie Mo’unga (Canterbury) and Beauden Barrett (Taranaki), against one another in a shootout to decide the country’s best No 10 ahead of the first Bledisloe Cup test against Australia on October 11.
However, there was little to choose between the two champion first five-eighths, who could still start together in black after doing so at last year’s World Cup, but Barrett finished the weekend grinning from ear to ear after Taranaki held on to regain the Log O’ Wood after losing it to Waikato in 2018.
Lachlan Boshier was again in inspirational form at openside flanker and led a wonderful defensive effort for Taranaki with numerous steals.
Meanwhile, the two form Premiership teams are Tasman and Waikato after recording convincing wins over Northland
(54-21) and North Harbour (41-19). The Mako kicked off round two with their 14th consecutive victory, inspired by All Blacks winger Sevu Reece’s hat-trick, and the reigning champions’ quality depth means the absence of their stars should not have a severe impact.
Tasman host Waikato on Saturday and that should be the match of round three, even with their All Blacks gone, and how the Mooloos go without Damian McKenzie and Anton LienertBrown will indicate whether they’re title contenders or not.
Auckland and Wellington’s juicy Premiership clash completed the round and the Lions bounced back from last week’s Hamilton horror show against Waikato to record their first win of 2020 at Eden Park.
Both sides were loaded with All Blacks but Wellington, featuring Ardie Savea, Asafo Aumua and TJ Perenara in top form, outscored Auckland six tries to three in an impressive victory.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane tasted victory as a player for the first time in six months with Bay of Plenty’s scrappy 17-14 win over Southland.
A win’s a win, but the Stags are showing they are no pushovers after stunning Hawke’s Bay in round one for just their second victory in four years.
Elsewhere, yesterday’s two Championship encounters saw two All Blacks halfbacks take centre stage but one was smiling and the other frowning.
Leading test No 9 Aaron Smith scored a double in his 80-minute stint for Manawatu¯ but tasted defeat as Otago’s speedsters led the southerners to their first win, 36-25.
Hawke’s Bay’s Brad Weber also went over for a brace but the Magpies were victorious, 31-17 against Counties Manukau, who sit bottom of the competition after two losses.