'I'd be very surprised if any player has made a decision as yet' - NZRPA head
The head of the New Zealand players' union said on Monday he would be surprised if any player had already decided to withdraw from the All Blacks' Rugby Championship squad due to concerns about travelling during the COVID-19 pandemic. The All Blacks will spend at least eight weeks in Australia for the Nov. 7-Dec. 12 southern hemisphere tournament against the Wallabies, Springboks and Pumas and will then have to go through two weeks of isolation upon their return.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) had said on Friday they would support any player who decides to opt out for family reasons and local media reported on Monday that several had indicated they might not want to spend that much time away.
Radio New Zealand said several first-time fathers and others with young children had expressed concerns.
However, Rob Nichol, the head of the New Zealand Rugby Players Association, said the players were unlikely to make a decision until they had been fully appraised of the plans.
"I'd be very surprised if any player has made a decision as yet, because they know we've got a fair bit of work to do on the details before they know what it involves," he told Stuff Media on Monday.
"Once we've got the full plan, that's the point when players will look at it and then take it under consideration.
"They'll be given a reasonable amount of time to mull over it and talk it through to those close to them."
Nichol was unavailable for comment when contacted by Reuters.
NZR said reports that players had expressed a desire to withdraw were premature.
The All Blacks are scheduled to play the Wallabies in Bledisloe Cup matches in New Zealand next month before heading to Australia for the Rugby Championship.
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This cracked media record of aligning success or failure on head coaches is remarkable. Using the crusaders past history as an example, a more sensible observation and analysis could be that the recent head coaches had inherited a extremely successful combination of players linked to their traditional historical support of the Canterbury people. That period ended this year when the new coach was introduced to virtually a new team. And in a year where other franchises have grown much stronger than their respective past, it was always an anticipated reality that the coach and his new crusader team were up against it. Therefore, I humbly believe that unlike some commentators present, I laud coach Penny and the team for their efforts to date and I am sure given another term and with Canterbury behind them they will be riding high once more. Strange all this coming from me who lives in Taupo and a one eyed chiefs supporter. Can't wait for all future chiefs and crusader games!
Go to commentsGrt bench player..keep him there..
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