Feeble French face SANZAR 'ban'
Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:36
Australia and New Zealand are considering cancelling the French mid-year tour next year, as SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby) decides to get tough on Northern Hemisphere nations sending weak teams south.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the contentious issue of under-strength team from the north making the annual pilgrimage south is set to come to a head at a SANZAR CEOs meeting.
The French - just like England and Wales in the past few years - are expected to continue the contemptuous attitude of the Six Nations countries by touring next year with a second-string squad.
An angry New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has indicated that they are considering scrapping the 2009 French Australasian tour.
And ARU CEO John O'Neill backed the New Zealanders' strong stance.
"The New Zealand hierarchy expressed its concerns at the weekend and we feel the same way," O'Neill told The Daily Telegraph.
"It's enormously disappointing.
"We thoroughly support the New Zealand stance and their comments suggest they are prepared to lead the way on this issue.
"We will discuss it again at SANZAR level and no doubt will be speaking to the countries involved.
"There comes a time when you have to demand promises are kept."
O'Neill said that at an International Rugby Board (IRB) conference in England late last year commitments were given that Northern Hemisphere unions would have their competitions completed by May 31.
"That would allow them a full complement of players for June tours to the southern hemisphere - once again, however, that may not be the case," O'Neill said.
In a stunning slap in the face for Australia and New Zealand it was revealed that France's Top 14 Final will now take place on June 6, during their national team's tour Down Under. That would mean a lot of the top French players would be unavailable.
Asked whether the NZRU would consider telling France not to bother touring, chairman Jock Hobbs admitted: "It is a possibility."
Hobbs declared it was unacceptable France would send out a weakened touring party.
"That is a matter we will be taking further," Hobbs said.
"We are unhappy with it and we will be speaking both with the IRB and the French with respect to it - as will the Australians."
NZRU CEO Steve Tew described the situation as very frustrating.
"We will keep all of our options open at the moment," he said.
The matter also places real pressure on the IRB to step in and take decisive action to ensure the status of Test rugby is maintained and not cheapened.
The potentially explosive issue is also a test of who really is in control of the game internationally.
