New Zealand agenda blamed for Bledisloe snub but Kiwis fire back

Rugby Union Players Association boss Justin Harrison believes “tactics and agenda” are behind the All Blacks’ decision to pull out of Bledisloe III as New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson refuted Australian accusations they had been blindsided by the change of plans.

Robinson on Saturday said New Zealand would be open to playing the third Bledisloe match on September 4 in Perth, but fell short of committing to the date and location until there were reassurances about plans for the Rugby Championship.

Akira Ioane has words with Lachie Swinton during Bledisloe II at Eden Park. Credit:Getty

Rugby Australia said it was caught unaware by a New Zealand press release on Friday announcing the team, having just wrapped up the Bledisloe Cup series after Australia reluctantly agreed to play two Tests at Eden Park, would not come to Perth for a third match on August 28.

The move infuriated RA chief executive Andy Marinos, as well as Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, who said he was “bloody angry”.

New Zealand wanted clarity on where the following four Rugby Championship matches would be played, given they, like Australia, have a European tour in November.

As All Blacks players celebrated their series win with family this week, some Wallabies staff have chalked up 10 weeks without seeing theirs.

Harrison said ongoing uncertainty for a Wallabies group that could spend five months away from families could take its toll. He also questioned New Zealand rugby’s motives, before a decision on the Bledisloe clash and Rugby Championship early next week.

“There is a point in time where we just want a partnership approach and honesty to be the intent, rather than tactics and agenda,” Harrison said. “That is the disappointing aspect of what appears to be happening in New Zealand’s case.

“We are concentrating on supporting players and staff. We are disappointed with the decisions by New Zealand. We are maintaining frequent dialogue with the Wallaby group and Rugby Australia to make sure we develop solutions to best support and plan multiple scenarios inside a fast-moving landscape.

“The goal is to take as much uncertainty out of things as possible and make sure we give accurate information to players, staff, family and partners.”

While there was no news on Saturday in terms of fixtures, dates or locations, RA is still hopeful of playing New Zealand in Perth on September 4.

That would depend on there being no AFL finals matches scheduled there and NZR allowing the All Blacks to play.

Marinos and Rennie slammed NZR for a lack of consultation, with the Wallabies coach saying: “New Zealand Rugby didn’t even have the respect to consult RA about their decision and that’s hugely disappointing.”

Robinson said that was “simply not true”.

“We tried to give Rugby Australia as much time as possible, until Friday afternoon, to have quarantine tidied up with Queensland,” Robinson told Newstalk ZB on Saturday. “That was unable to be achieved and, therefore, we weren’t really able to get on a plane.

Beauden Barrett gets his hands on the Bledisoe Cup.Credit:Getty

“Certainly I know that senior All Blacks and Wallabies were discussing the situation and our players were making them aware of the reality of our situation. It’s a shame that couldn’t get back to Dave and some of the people he’s referring to.

“We had calls right through from Wednesday, Thursday, we put something in writing on Thursday and then we spoke to them before anything was released.

“We understand that Rugby Australia are under severe financial pressure. This is an important game for them and we are committed to playing that match. The reality is, under those circumstances, that frustration manifests with what we saw yesterday; a lot of emotion, a lot of frustration, sometimes possibly not all the information, and that’s the result of that.”

Administrators are working towards the Rugby Championship being held in Europe, with hopes that earlier matches could be played from 11am to 1pm local time (8pm-10pm AEST).

The Wallabies went into camp before the France series on June 14. After their spring tour, they might not get out of quarantine in Australia until early December.

Some players’ partners have gone into isolation so they can join the camp, and some are pregnant, meaning some Wallabies representatives might not play in upcoming matches.

“[Bringing families along] has definitely been discussed and certainly it’s a consideration and something we’d like to work through together,” Harrison said. “We’re not in a situation where there are ultimatums being delivered in negotiations. [It is] problem solving and making sure that we cross every permutation.”

Tom Decent is a journalist with The Sydney Morning Herald

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