Jeff Wilson suggests the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour is primed to be a blockbuster, but not if the four-Test series ends without a decisive winner.
The All Blacks legend argues the addition of a fourth Test in the US risks taking the shine off what he feels should have been a classic three-match series.
“For me, this is one week too long. We didn’t need the fourth Test,” Wilson said on Sky Sport NZ’s The Breakdown.
“I just feel as though this is for a different reason. The three-Test series in South Africa would have been perfect from my point of view. Absolutely perfect. You are guaranteed to get a result.
“I’d be surprised if there was a draw amongst those games, but I think it’s pretty important that you can find an ending to the story.”
ICYMI: Touring All Blacks rocked by injury
The tour kicks off on Friday night at Cape Town Stadium between the All Blacks and Stormers, before the Kiwis also tackle the Sharks, Vodacom Bulls and Lions ahead of the Tests at Ellis Park, Cape Town Stadium and FNB Stadium.
The series concludes with the fourth clash in Baltimore on 12 September.
In May, SA Rugby confirmed there will be no shared spoils between the Springboks and All Blacks, with a tiebreaker in the event the series is drawn at the end of 80 minutes in Baltimore.
While Wilson questioned the final fixture, he welcomed the revival of the old-style touring schedule.
“The touring aspect for me … we’ve seen what the [British & Irish] Lions bring when they go on tour; they are special games,” the ex-outside back said.
“One of my proudest moments as a rugby player was when we won the ‘Springbok head’ when I was playing for Otago when South Africa toured here in 1994.
“For a player who didn’t get to play international rugby, that’s one of the highlights of their career.”
ALSO: ‘Stormers’ job is to beat the s**t out of All Blacks’
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Former All Black: We didn’t need a fourth Test appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Jeff Wilson suggests the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour is primed to be a blockbuster, but not if the four-Test series ends without a decisive winner.
The post Former All Black: We didn’t need a fourth Test appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
