Wales and New Zealand, one test match too many?
Wales hosts the All Blacks on Saturday. Swinging demo match programmed and financially motivated.
deprived of itEinglish“And many wounded Wales face all blacks who have been undefeated for 68 years. A £4m (€4.6m) match, this is how this match is viewed above all, being placed outside the international window as English clubs are obligated to leave their foreign players available for their own choices.
Program means depriving coach Wayne Bivak of New Zealand and Wales from several title holders almost certain, such as opener Dan Biggar, third line Taulupe Valitau and winger Louis Reiss Zammit. Also missing are regularly used players such as midfielder Nick Tompkins, opener Callum Sheedy, winger Thomas Young or second line Crest Chiunza.
Absences added to a well-stocked dispensary with George North, Lee Halfpenny, Justin Tiburek, Josh Navidi, James Botham, Leon Brown, Dan Lydiat and Josh MacLeod. A total of 15 players, the equivalent of a full team, while Wales is far from having a tank of England, or even Ireland, players.
“The dumbest test in history”
“In the end, it’s an opportunity for many men“Captain Alon called Wayne Jones on Tuesday, loyalist to the position at 36 for his 149th selection, which would make him the most capped player in rugby history.”They know the players will be back in the squad (from the next test against South Africa on November 6), it’s an opportunity to draw attention and perhaps no bigger match to do that awaits us‘, the Welsh franchise player for the Ospreys has been sentenced.
Sliding into a fourth fall test outside the international window is a habit for the Welsh FA, whose financial balance remains precarious. In the current circumstances, it becomes difficult to imagine Wales’ fourth win in this 36th encounter against an opponent they have not defeated since December 1953 (13-8), but the sporting challenge passed after the financial problem.
In a scathing editorial, the Daily Telegraph He did not hesitate to qualify for this match as “The dumbest test in history“.
“We love challenges»
Even former Wales international, Shane Williams, felt the union “She actively worked against the survival of the four regions (Welsh) that are regularly deprived of their best players and cannot reach the maximum in the League (Pro14) or in Europe‘, in a date on the site rugby paper.
In the wake of one of the most serious crises that the sport has faced, with the Covid-19 epidemic, it was difficult to turn down a prestigious match in a stadium where, for the first time in more than a year and a half. 74,500 seats were put up for sale and found trapped.
“Sometimes, in rugby, you just have to realize that the sport is more than just a specific match“Pivac pleaded. “It’s all about sports sponsorship in general. If we look at the financial situation in this country, without (this test), we will have problems. And in terms of rugby, it’s quite a challenge. We love challenges“, Complete.
“Everyone comments on their exit out the international window, but it’s a chance to take on the All-Blacks on a packed court. You wouldn’t refuse it, would you?ITU Director General Steve Phillips added.