New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson has admitted that the organisation may consider changes to the rules surrounding All Blacks player’s rest protocols.
The regulations have been in place since 2010 and insist that those playing within the All Blacks structure only play 40 minutes, then 60 and then 80 over the first three rounds of the Super Rugby campaign. While they also have the chance to either spend two weeks during the year to spend away from their respective team or focus on their physical conditioning.
Since the rules have been in place there have been calls from fans and coaches alike to scrap them as they are devaluing the tournament and having a negative impact on players careers.
However, Robinson believes that the rules are not causing a problem for the players involved but does hear the criticism that is being swirled around.
“But the other thing I’ll say is that in recent times, certainly in the last 10 to 15 years, the All Blacks selected players including fringe players and they’ve shown an ability to work alongside players that might’ve lacking form but they respect and trust and bring them into the environment and do get game time. So I accept that there are many examples that can be pointed to the point that you’ve got there. But there’s also a pretty tight relationship between All Blacks coaches, the selectors and the players that you’re referring to there,” he said while speaking to Radio Sport’s Jim Kayes.
He continued on to state that the decision was made at the time with players in mind and that the players themselves were included in the decision making before the regulations were passed.
“I think we also need to understand that we’ve built this off a lot of consultation with players. We have used a lot of sports science and research has gone into it and a lot of thought has gone into it. I think it’s also important to understand that most professional teams and leagues now around the world have to manage the workload of players because most seasons across most leagues are simply unsustainable for an athlete to play every minute of every game. I think the other benefit of the policy to date is the fact that it’s made things very clear for all parties in this area of what the expectations are. So it’s taken out the grey,” he added.
However, the call for change has been growing in recent times with Highlanders assistant coach Tony Brown and Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland among the big names to call for change. With the former claiming that in his eyes the policy has actually cost All Black player’s their international career.
Despite holding the view that the rules are correct Robinson went on to admit that New Zealand Rugby will review them and are open for change if need be.
“Overall, we think it’s been a very effective policy and a lot of work has gone into it. But like a lot of things we accept that in any organisation, you’re constantly reviewing and looking at things. And so we’re open to that for the future,” he finished up.
It would be a big shift if they were to revert back to the old rules, but it could just be the thing that helps some players get to their best and stay there consistently due to more game-time.
