The All Blacks Test against Wales later this month has been described as “the stupiest fixture ever” with the hosts rocked by a scheduling issue and multiple injuries ahead of the visit of the Rugby Championship winners.
Wales will be without a virtual full team of players for their opening Spring international against New Zealand on October 31 (AEST), with Lions fullback Liam Williams the latest big name on the absentee list after having surgery to remove his appendix.
While Williams joins Justin Tipuric, George North, Leigh Halfpenny, Dan Lydiate, James Botham, Jarrod Evans and Josh Macleod on the injury list the Welsh are also without their England-based stars. Thye game is outside the official Test window which means Premiership clubs won’t be required to release their players for the fixture.
That means Dan Biggar, Louis Rees-Zammit, Taulupe Faletau, Callum Sheedy, Nick Tompkins, Ioan Lloyd and Tommy Reffell will be missing.
Wales haven’t beaten New Zealand in 68 years and the match has already sold out the 74,000 tickets.
But James Corrigan, writing in the UK Telegraph under the headline “Forget rugby – Wales’ date with the All Blacks is a stupid, cynical, money-making ploy” said the Welsh Rugby Union had arranged “the stupiest fixture ever.”
“Unlike the three Tests on the weekends thereafter, this, the undobuted glamour tie, is being contested outside of the international window,” he wrote.
“Wales will be under-strength and the only ones who will be fully loaded that day will be the libated portion of the 74,000-strong crowd.
(Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images)
“Well, why not?” the WRU might have surmised. Wales have not beaten the All Blacks in 68 years, since Tenzing and Hilary were still scaling their way back down Everest, and despite being reigning Six Nations champions, there would hardly be unfettered optimism of the Pivac party finally conquering this particular mountain this time around.
“That gullible, romantic bunch of daffodil-clad daftees will not moan if the void lasts at least another year. What is another 12-month in a whole lifetime of failure, what is another digit in a curse?
“Except it is not a curse, because it has reached the stage where the WRU, laughably referred to as “the governing body”, is actively making it harder for its side to achieve a feat they find impossible anyway.
“The pandemic dictates that the WRU is more desperate for money than ever and before Covid-19 it would invariably jam in another autumn international. If you want to see how four goes into three, then simply peer down recent Welsh schedules. Warren Gatland went along with it, saying exposure to the top sides was vital and, well, as altruistic members of that ever-inclusive international rugby fraternity – quiet at the back – Wales should play nations such as Fiji shouldn’t they?
“The WRU would therefore ignore the window and divert the blame to those money-bagged English brutes who refused to allow our boys to take their rightful place on the hallowed turf, blah, blah. A PR masterstroke, but pathetically transparent and now outrageously self-detrimental.
“If and when Wales ever beat New Zealand again it will be a moment many of us have awaited since the seeds of our oval-ball obsession first sprouted. Wales have defeated South Africa, Australia and, on occasion, Fiji. The Kiwis are the scalp we crave. They should not be first up, in the unofficial slot.
“It demeans the occasion, which is a crying shame because it is difficult to quantify what it could mean to the country.”
England winger Chris Ashton, speaking on the BBC Radio 5 Live Rugby Union Weekly Podcast, was supstrised by the WRU decision to play world No.2 ranked New Zealand outside the window.
“Who’s organising to play the best team in the world when you can’t have all your players free?
“Someone’s had a shocker there.”
England legend Jeremy Guscott said the sold out crowd will be attending to watch the All Blacks in action.
“My frustration with the game is lessened when I watch the All Blacks play because it is such a breath of fresh air,” said Guscott in a column for The Rugby Paper.
“It can be a transient time for teams two years before the World Cup, and it has to be said that while Wales can beat New Zealand, it’s odds-on they won’t, even with a full house behind them.
“New Zealand may not be world champions, but they are consistently the best team in the world, and while Wales have a game in them like England did in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup, there is no sign that will happen.
“It would be a miracle result if Wales won, and that’s why it’s fair to say that the full house in Cardiff will be going there to watch New Zealand because of their brilliance, every bit as much as supporting their own team.”
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
You do know that NZR has spoken of this as perhaps getting a relationship with USA that will lead to US and Japan potentially having teams in Super comp? Not sure what you mean about MLR and Japan, they are domestic comps, and not open to NZR teams. I am confused what you mean by it.
No Arms
Roar Rookie
Imagine saying that 68 years ago when Wales beat the All Blacks - I know my observation is really out of place but World Rugby is crazy because the whole world is crazy & we can’t live like that anymore
frisky
Roar Rookie
A bit hysterical. Australia benefitted greatly by having to blood a large group of youngsters and give them international experience. No-names have become a permanent members of the WB team. I expect a throughly competitive ganme for 60 min before teh AB run away with the result, but hell, is that a unique experience??
Sinckler for the rules
Roar Rookie
Well basically Italy have lost the last 32 on the trot in 6 Nations so pretty much. I wouldn't read too much into last years results though - COVID impacted the performance of England significantly, my understanding is they had put much more restrictions in the camp basically confined to rooms unless training and I think that had an impact not to mention some coaches not being available.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
100% agree. Sort the world league out and have a proper international comp every year. Make it so all players are available for all games.
Puff
Roar Rookie
Please enlighten me; do the northern hemisphere auditors and the author of this article think international rugby runs on fumes? Condescending rhetoric unfortunately doesn’t pay the bills and to my knowledge the AB’s are the most recognized rugby brand on the plant. Therefore, regardless of their player commitment, the AB’s full stadiums wherever they travel so it’s a win, win for all stakeholders. That’s why they keep receiving invitations.
Marlin
Roar Rookie
Why cant you let it go mate? Its like booing one bloke for 20 years because he had the audacity to ruffle Richie's hair. Give it a rest
Marlin
Roar Rookie
Hahahaha
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
" “Substrised” and “undobuted” " and “the stupiest fixture ever” times 2 tells me someone has been locked away from interaction with normal society for way too long! :stoked:
Bobby
Roar Rookie
I know who has the "stupid" opinion and it's one not held by 74,000 supporters ! Wales haven't won in 60 odd years with their best players so what's going to change.
Hfunk
Guest
NHFan - one-offs generate money, competitions require a huge outlay, especially ones that span the world's largest ocean and if the standard isn't great (which it wouldn't be) it can lose you a lot of money. If one of the world's greatest production lines of high-end players went bust that would help no one, including the NH clubs...
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
We were planning to go to DC to watch the game. But then think of this. Cheap tickets are $62 each. Expensive tickets are over $200 each. You have to fly to DC. Two nights at a hotel plus food, etc. ABs would probably play their second team. Even the US best team is still pretty bad. Lots of money for this. We are not going.
NH Fan
Guest
WRU have to do games like this because they don't have a Regional game that supports the professional player wages like the IRFU, SRU or FIR. As a result they have this that then stunts their Regions teams carrying on the cycle of fans only caring about team Wales. Most Unions have one here and there but WRU have this situation every year which affects them in the URC and Euro Cups. If Super Rugby doesn't work as a finacial pillar for RA and NZRU expect the Unions to play more internationals that start hurting SR teams and turn fans off more. It may result in becoming like cricket where so many internationals get played that it's just another game. As it is RC games aren't the big sellouts they once were which was paying the bills. If the Unions have to let players go overseas then expect international windows to be enforced. Is playing an American leg of 2-3 games and an Asia leg of 2-3 games really what fans want. Sadly it's coming thanks to PE and lack of money.
NH Fan
Guest
Pity the NZRU don't think that when it comes to a Pacific Champions Cup with MLR and Japan. Seems only at internationals where NZ want to do it.
NH Fan
Guest
Like Ireland in Chicago it doesn't count because it's outside the window and NZ didn't try.
NH Fan
Guest
English Club Rugby fan journo takes chance to run down Wales, New Zealand and Union run organisations in one article who would of thought. The simple thing is the NH unions know their large stadiums will provide large pay days so when needed they can tap into it. Sadly NZ don't have that same opportunity so have to go overseas to get big payouts.
NH Fan
Guest
Fix the international window. Do you want AB being able to play internationals during Super Rugby season and have it like cricket. We have an international window for a reason.
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
The ref's fault! Suzy! Stomach virus!
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Excellent point Bluff, I can’t see the AB’s resting players for this game. It is a big occasion and you treat it accordingly not only for the fans but for the game in general.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Most of their best tight forwards are there too.