New Zealand Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul says the days of fiercely contested tour matches against strong provincial sides are gone.
Writing in the New Zealand Herald, Paul argues that nostalgia for the All Blacks’ previous visits to South Africa has created unrealistic expectations around their four Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour matches against the country’s URC teams.
“The romanticists want to take themselves back to the period in which mid-week games were epically brutal and demanding because the local provincial or composite side had the players, time and motivation to be a serious opponent,” he writes.
“But those days are gone, and they are not coming back.”
According to Paul, professionalism and the demands of the modern rugby calendar have made it virtually impossible to recreate the provincial clashes that became such an important part of traditional tours.
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South Africa’s situation is particularly complicated, he argues, because the country’s clubs compete in northern-hemisphere competitions while the Springboks’ international season remains aligned with the south.
As a result, the four URC teams must face the All Blacks without their current Springboks and during their pre-season.
Paul highlighted the Stormers’ effort in Friday night’s 38-21 defeat in Cape Town, when they were level at 14-14 after 66 minutes.
“The Stormers were able to produce a defiant performance in what was not just their first game since playing Leinster in the semi-final of the URC in early June, but their first contact session as they get ready for the September restart of their new season.
“But that really was against the odds.”
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Paul believes those circumstances should also frame expectations for Tuesday night’s clash between the Sharks and All Blacks in Durban.
“These games are not peak All Blacks versus peak club teams and everyone in South Africa knows it, which is partly why ticket sales for these games have been difficult.
“The hype machine will say otherwise – and push the narrative that the clock has been wound back to the good old days – and try to sell this as a fearsome Natal team ready to soften up the All Blacks.
“But no one should buy that.”
Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images
The post ‘Midweek tour matches romance is dead’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
New Zealand Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul says the days of fiercely contested tour matches against strong provincial sides are gone.
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