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'Sport on the weekend doesn't compare to looking after people, specifically our elderly folk
By Online Editors
Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn is disappointed the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the Super Rugby season but admits there are bigger concerns than sport to consider.
Shortly after the Reds came back from a 17-0 deficit to thrash South Africa's Bulls 41-17 at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, it was confirmed the tournament would be suspended indefinitely after this weekend's matches.
The decision was largely forced by the New Zealand government announcing strict restrictions on travellers entering the country.
Anyone arriving in New Zealand after Sunday will have to isolate themselves for 14 days to help combat the spread of the potentially lethal virus.
The news will be frustrating to Thorn given his team had largely completed their overseas component for the season and were eyeing off a big finish to their campaign.
"It's probably a little bit tough for us because we've paid our dues this year, we've done our three round-the-world tri ps, played Christchurch, down in Canberra, all these sort of things," the World Cup-winning ex-All Black said.
"We've been looking at this comp and we've seen real opportunity in front of us ... it'd be nice if there was some more footy played, you know, down the track but sport on the weekend doesn't compare to looking after people, specifically our elderly folk.
"We've got to take care of them. Look after them."
SANZAAR is hopeful of resuming the tournament in coming weeks but that will depend largely on when the New Zealand restrictions are lifted.
The Christchurch-based Crusaders defeated Japan's Sunwolves at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday in a match that had already been relocated from Tokyo to Brisbane due to the virus outbreak.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson was desperate to get himself and his team home before the restrictions kick in and did not discount the idea of the nation's five franchises playing each other during the suspension.
"The re's always opportunity in some adversity and there's potential for opportunities to maybe innovate the competition," the championship-winning coach said.
For the Sunwolves, the suspension means the loss to the Crusaders could be the team's final appearance in Super Rugby.
SANZAAR has already announced the Japanese franchise will be axed from the competition in 2021, although chief executive Yuji Watase was confident the team would play on in some capacity next year.
"SANZAAR decided to kick us out from this year but still we're trying to find a way," Watase said.
"Even if, like from next year, we cannot play in the Super Rugby we still have to go in some direction to keep running and keep our rugby level in Japan."
Sunday's match between the Brumbies and the NSW Waratahs on Sunday in Canberra will be the final fixture before the suspension takes hold.
- AAP
WATCH: The sixth series of ‘The Season’ in partnership with Brisbane Boys College - In the lead up to the series premiere, we take a look at some of the personalities involved including barnstorming centre, Jack Howarth.
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Latest Comments
Excellent points Mz. Because of other commitments I have just watched the game.
Interesting watching it after reading all the news reports especially in the English media. I was expecting to see a game that the ABs were very lucky to win. What I saw was a game that England showed their tactical incompetence and their inability to construct any try scoring opportunities.
They can go on deluding themselves that they were unlucky to lose ( as Borthwick said post match ) but until they stop relying on rush defence and goal kicking to win I feel they're doomed to be ranked 4 or 5 in the world.
Can't wait until the weekend to see how the Wallabies go against them
Though I dare say Walter will be hoping for an England win.
Go to commentsIF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.
As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.
Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).
This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.
If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.
Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.
After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.
Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.
Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)
Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.
Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.
Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.
Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:
Seeding Band 1
IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG
Seeding Band 2
SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: FIJI
1/8 final opponent GEORGIA
Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA
1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND
Prognosis: You know the prognosis
I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?
Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.
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