Selfish SARU destroy the Rugby Championship

[sorCrer]

Look like we are on our way back to locked down. Will be a disaster but that's the price we pay if people don't listen.

Dangers for rugby as describe by Dobson
IOL

They can't afford another lockdown. It will be the end of this country. There's no money left for bail outs, no TERS, no UIF, no nufink and they are billions of dollars in debt already. Another lockdown and you'll see big companies close their doors permanently. Companies you never would have thought would, will go bankrupt.

Indeed. Edcon was probably the biggest casualty of the last lockdown. Can't see another being enforced, but glad Cyril is threatening one.
I doubt we will go into full on Level 5 lockdown again, but wouldn't be surprised if Level 2 or 3 is put on the cards and booze gets restricted again.
"As die mense nie wil hoor nie, moet hulle voel"...a lot of people are getting very complacent again.

Edcon was fucked way before lockdown.

[OomStruisbaai]

Hope they don't close the provincial borders

[Sandstorm]

Hope they don't close the provincial borders

Cape should have closed the border 15 years ago.

[Blake]

Edcon was fucked way before lockdown.

True true, but The lockdown was the last straw. They were just too cash strapped to survive a month of no trading.

[Sards]

I have closed orders on the factory for the year. Massive surge in orders prior to year end. And 2 very nice projects too. Which I look forward to as they are going Charcoal grilled in both and thats my specialty. My wife's shop is the best showroom ever.

So its looking like money is there.

If it goes back a few levels it will be great for my wifes shop as thats what it was geared up for. And sit down will take a huge hit again. We went to the Spur yesterday and for a dinner service they were very understaffed on the service side and their drinks fridge was looking in a sad state.....thats the first place you look...I reckon they are really struggling atm.

Most of the projects are high end. But money always seems to be available to those that had it before lockdown. If you managed your finances sensibly.

Was chatting to one of my biggest clients tonight and he has seen a huge surge of activity. So on the retail side its going great but for manufacturers like myself it means a big cash investment to finance the retailers as they are asking terms where we are paying cash to buy up materials wherever we can find it...he said some of manufacturers are asking deposits which was unheard of before.

So in other words the work is there but cash flow sucks...everywhere.

I must say it's great having the cash generator that is the missus shop. Even if it does sometimes get blurred where the money comes and goes from.

[Ted.]

Given the amount of leeway, including time, SA were given, they could have shown a bit more common sense in their planing and and guts in their decision making. They could have been in Aussie by now, with the fit players, while bringing those who are currently in isolation over once they have recovered. All teams are dealing with this as best they can, yet at the first sign of difficulty SA have cried off, resulting in massive losses for cash strapped unions, including their own.

I think you might be a little bit blinded by your bubble and ignorant of our circumstances.
While you were playing and enjoying Super Rugby we were going through our peak, where over 18k people have died.
Group gatherings (let alone training sessions) were not allowed until September.
As soon as training was allowed, our local players were out there training.
As soon as contact training was allowed, our local players were out there trying to get match fitness.
As soon as matches were allowed, we staged matches at the end of September.
The past weekend was only our 4th weekend of local rugby, and we already had one match postponed due or a Covid incident in the Lions' squad.

The reality is that this half baked tournament that we are being guilted into to stuff your pockets, is not in our best interest given our situation.
We wanted to participate because our fans are starving for Bok rugby and we have a new coach that wants to prepare for the B&I Lions Tour, but we can't play our best team, and made the tough call to withdraw.
Our local-based players are at risk of injury not being match fit, and we can't afford the insurance costs to get access to our European based players.
I respect the decision that was made and wish NZ, Australia and Argentina well in the tournament. I hope it goes ahead and there aren't any incidents that further derail all the meticulous planning that went into it.

No, I don't accept any of that. SARU had the opportunity to get their players out of Africa and into the comparatively safe Australian environment. I'm sure some rugby could have been arranged, too.

What happened instead was that they hang on as long as they could without making a decision, then scuppered it at the last minute. If things were so dire in African weighty did they not make the decision when the disease was at it's peak? Guilted my arse. They either didn't have a wherewithal to make a decision, or didn't have the guts. The only other alternative I can see, was that they held on for maximum effect, and none of could fathom that, right.

[OomStruisbaai]

Given the amount of leeway, including time, SA were given, they could have shown a bit more common sense in their planing and and guts in their decision making. They could have been in Aussie by now, with the fit players, while bringing those who are currently in isolation over once they have recovered. All teams are dealing with this as best they can, yet at the first sign of difficulty SA have cried off, resulting in massive losses for cash strapped unions, including their own.

I think you might be a little bit blinded by your bubble and ignorant of our circumstances.
While you were playing and enjoying Super Rugby we were going through our peak, where over 18k people have died.
Group gatherings (let alone training sessions) were not allowed until September.
As soon as training was allowed, our local players were out there training.
As soon as contact training was allowed, our local players were out there trying to get match fitness.
As soon as matches were allowed, we staged matches at the end of September.
The past weekend was only our 4th weekend of local rugby, and we already had one match postponed due or a Covid incident in the Lions' squad.

The reality is that this half baked tournament that we are being guilted into to stuff your pockets, is not in our best interest given our situation.
We wanted to participate because our fans are starving for Bok rugby and we have a new coach that wants to prepare for the B&I Lions Tour, but we can't play our best team, and made the tough call to withdraw.
Our local-based players are at risk of injury not being match fit, and we can't afford the insurance costs to get access to our European based players.
I respect the decision that was made and wish NZ, Australia and Argentina well in the tournament. I hope it goes ahead and there aren't any incidents that further derail all the meticulous planning that went into it.

No, I don't accept any of that. SARU had the opportunity to get their players out of Africa and into the comparatively safe Australian environment. I'm sure some rugby could have been arranged, too.

What happened instead was that they hang on as long as they could without making a decision, then scuppered it at the last minute. If things were so dire in African weighty did they not make the decision when the disease was at it's peak? Guilted my arse. They either didn't have a wherewithal to make a decision, or didn't have the guts. The only other alternative I can see, was that they held on for maximum effect, and none of could fathom that, right.

I don't think you understand our ANC government.

Blame it on apartheid.

[Chilli]

Given the amount of leeway, including time, SA were given, they could have shown a bit more common sense in their planing and and guts in their decision making. They could have been in Aussie by now, with the fit players, while bringing those who are currently in isolation over once they have recovered. All teams are dealing with this as best they can, yet at the first sign of difficulty SA have cried off, resulting in massive losses for cash strapped unions, including their own.

I think you might be a little bit blinded by your bubble and ignorant of our circumstances.
While you were playing and enjoying Super Rugby we were going through our peak, where over 18k people have died.
Group gatherings (let alone training sessions) were not allowed until September.
As soon as training was allowed, our local players were out there training.
As soon as contact training was allowed, our local players were out there trying to get match fitness.
As soon as matches were allowed, we staged matches at the end of September.
The past weekend was only our 4th weekend of local rugby, and we already had one match postponed due or a Covid incident in the Lions' squad.

The reality is that this half baked tournament that we are being guilted into to stuff your pockets, is not in our best interest given our situation.
We wanted to participate because our fans are starving for Bok rugby and we have a new coach that wants to prepare for the B&I Lions Tour, but we can't play our best team, and made the tough call to withdraw.
Our local-based players are at risk of injury not being match fit, and we can't afford the insurance costs to get access to our European based players.
I respect the decision that was made and wish NZ, Australia and Argentina well in the tournament. I hope it goes ahead and there aren't any incidents that further derail all the meticulous planning that went into it.

No, I don't accept any of that. SARU had the opportunity to get their players out of Africa and into the comparatively safe Australian environment. I'm sure some rugby could have been arranged, too.

What happened instead was that they hang on as long as they could without making a decision, then scuppered it at the last minute. If things were so dire in African weighty did they not make the decision when the disease was at it's peak? Guilted my arse. They either didn't have a wherewithal to make a decision, or didn't have the guts. The only other alternative I can see, was that they held on for maximum effect, and none of could fathom that, right.

The reality is that the correct decision was made for South African rugby and the welfare of South African rugby players
That it makes you unhappy is unfortunate.
Please enjoy watching the RC and your team winning it.

[assfly]

No, I don't accept any of that. SARU had the opportunity to get their players out of Africa and into the comparatively safe Australian environment. I'm sure some rugby could have been arranged, too.

What happened instead was that they hang on as long as they could without making a decision, then scuppered it at the last minute. If things were so dire in African weighty did they not make the decision when the disease was at it's peak? Guilted my arse. They either didn't have a wherewithal to make a decision, or didn't have the guts. The only other alternative I can see, was that they held on for maximum effect, and none of could fathom that, right.

What does the rest of the continent have to do with this?

[Rinkals]

I think you might be a little bit blinded by your bubble and ignorant of our circumstances.
While you were playing and enjoying Super Rugby we were going through our peak, where over 18k people have died.
Group gatherings (let alone training sessions) were not allowed until September.
As soon as training was allowed, our local players were out there training.
As soon as contact training was allowed, our local players were out there trying to get match fitness.
As soon as matches were allowed, we staged matches at the end of September.
The past weekend was only our 4th weekend of local rugby, and we already had one match postponed due or a Covid incident in the Lions' squad.

The reality is that this half baked tournament that we are being guilted into to stuff your pockets, is not in our best interest given our situation.
We wanted to participate because our fans are starving for Bok rugby and we have a new coach that wants to prepare for the B&I Lions Tour, but we can't play our best team, and made the tough call to withdraw.
Our local-based players are at risk of injury not being match fit, and we can't afford the insurance costs to get access to our European based players.
I respect the decision that was made and wish NZ, Australia and Argentina well in the tournament. I hope it goes ahead and there aren't any incidents that further derail all the meticulous planning that went into it.

No, I don't accept any of that. SARU had the opportunity to get their players out of Africa and into the comparatively safe Australian environment. I'm sure some rugby could have been arranged, too.

What happened instead was that they hang on as long as they could without making a decision, then scuppered it at the last minute. If things were so dire in African weighty did they not make the decision when the disease was at it's peak? Guilted my arse. They either didn't have a wherewithal to make a decision, or didn't have the guts. The only other alternative I can see, was that they held on for maximum effect, and none of could fathom that, right.

I don't think you understand our ANC government.

Blame it on apartheid.

To be fair, even the Apartheid Government wouldn't have been able to predict how long the lockdown would last with sufficient accuracy to plan for an RC in November.

Back in March (when Ted's suggestion would need to have been implemented) we thought that lockdown would only last a few weeks at most to cover the gestation period of the disease.

Perhaps the Australian Authorities are adept at viewing a crystal ball or reading tea-leaves to be able to implement a costly programme whereby a sufficiently large squad could be selected in February and flown out to Australia in March to prepare for a tourney in November, but our own officials (as may have been said on here before) are probably not up to that level of efficiency.

[handyman]

Given the amount of leeway, including time, SA were given, they could have shown a bit more common sense in their planing and and guts in their decision making. They could have been in Aussie by now, with the fit players, while bringing those who are currently in isolation over once they have recovered. All teams are dealing with this as best they can, yet at the first sign of difficulty SA have cried off, resulting in massive losses for cash strapped unions, including their own.

I think you might be a little bit blinded by your bubble and ignorant of our circumstances.
While you were playing and enjoying Super Rugby we were going through our peak, where over 18k people have died.
Group gatherings (let alone training sessions) were not allowed until September.
As soon as training was allowed, our local players were out there training.
As soon as contact training was allowed, our local players were out there trying to get match fitness.
As soon as matches were allowed, we staged matches at the end of September.
The past weekend was only our 4th weekend of local rugby, and we already had one match postponed due or a Covid incident in the Lions' squad.

The reality is that this half baked tournament that we are being guilted into to stuff your pockets, is not in our best interest given our situation.
We wanted to participate because our fans are starving for Bok rugby and we have a new coach that wants to prepare for the B&I Lions Tour, but we can't play our best team, and made the tough call to withdraw.
Our local-based players are at risk of injury not being match fit, and we can't afford the insurance costs to get access to our European based players.
I respect the decision that was made and wish NZ, Australia and Argentina well in the tournament. I hope it goes ahead and there aren't any incidents that further derail all the meticulous planning that went into it.

No, I don't accept any of that. SARU had the opportunity to get their players out of Africa and into the comparatively safe Australian environment. I'm sure some rugby could have been arranged, too.

What happened instead was that they hang on as long as they could without making a decision, then scuppered it at the last minute. If things were so dire in African weighty did they not make the decision when the disease was at it's peak? Guilted my arse. They either didn't have a wherewithal to make a decision, or didn't have the guts. The only other alternative I can see, was that they held on for maximum effect, and none of could fathom that, right.

Still buthurt about RWC 2019? It's been a year...

[Blake]

No, I don't accept any of that. SARU had the opportunity to get their players out of Africa and into the comparatively safe Australian environment. I'm sure some rugby could have been arranged, too.

Wasn't possible. We went into immediate Total Lockdown on 27 March...initially planned for 3 weeks, ended up getting extended to 5 weeks.
After 5 weeks of complete lockdown, a level system was introduced. Borders remained closed except for repatriation flights for stuck tourists, and inter-provinacial travel was also restricted until Level 2.
No training and no gatherings allowed until August when provincial borders were opened for the first time.
The idea of a "Rugby Championship" in 2020 was only floated in July, and our participation was always contingent on how government Covid regulations would limit our ability to get our local players fit, how government regulations would limit our teams' ability to travel, and how the situation would develop in Europe to give us access to our European based players.
It's not our fault NZRU and ARU couldn't understand that.

What happened instead was that they hang on as long as they could without making a decision, then scuppered it at the last minute. If things were so dire in African weighty did they not make the decision when the disease was at it's peak? Guilted my arse. They either didn't have a wherewithal to make a decision, or didn't have the guts. The only other alternative I can see, was that they held on for maximum effect, and none of could fathom that, right.

Yes, it is prudent buy time and try and resolve the myriad of logistical challenges, player welfare considerations and other factors as long as possible.

Our first wave peak was in June/July...and things started to flatten out in August, which is when training restrictions were lifted, but we still had no idea when actual play would be allowed to resume or travel would be allowed.
We needed the proposed fixtures to be finalised to:

• arrange enough matches to give local based players gametime prior to departure

• start negotiations for access to our European based players

• plan the travel logistics from multiple origin countries at different timesand the associated Covid quarantine protocols on transfer and arrival

When it became clear the deadline was approaching and the challenges were insurmountable given the time constraints for local player fitness and financial constraints to access our European based players became apparent through negotiations, we informed our partners and declined to participate.
Not sure what more you wanted us to do. If we withdrew earlier we would've been accused of not trying hard enough ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Sandstorm]

It's not our fault NZRU and ARU couldn't understand that.

Bingo! They (the Kiwis in particular) are living on a completely different planet to everyone else at the moment.

I would hate to wish a proper Covid19 outbreak on anyone, but NZ are severely trying my patience......

[Fangle]

I think Handyman has nailed it. This is about Kiwi pride.

They should have won the WRC. All they had to do was beat the low ranked English in the semis and then thump SA in the finals the way they did in the group stages. The chickens were counted before they hatched. And then it all fell apart. They lost to what they considered to be a lower ranked northern hemisphere side and SA won the RWC. And it still rankles.

They didn’t want just a couple of hours TV entertainment, they needed to salvage their pride against an underprepared team and regain the top ranking which they consider rightfully theirs.

[Blake]

I think Handyman has nailed it. This is about Kiwi pride.

They should have won the WRC. All they had to do was beat the low ranked English in the semis and then thump SA in the finals the way they did in the group stages. The chickens were counted before they hatched. And then it all fell apart. They lost to what they considered to be a lower ranked northern hemisphere side and SA won the RWC. And it still rankles.

They didn’t want just a couple of hours TV entertainment, they needed to salvage their pride against an underprepared team and regain the top ranking which they consider rightfully theirs.

You'd remember better than I do Fangle, but kind of has echos of 1981 too doesn't it?

Some Kiwis put rugby ahead of moral and ethical considerations back then in an effort to prove they were the best in the world, just like some are now putting rugby ahead of what is the right thing to do, just because their pride is a little bruised. It's quite sad really how fragile they are, and how quickly they will give up their principles.

[Sandstorm]

I think Handyman has nailed it. This is about Kiwi pride.

They should have won the WRC. All they had to do was beat the low ranked English in the semis and then thump SA in the finals the way they did in the group stages. The chickens were counted before they hatched. And then it all fell apart. They lost to what they considered to be a lower ranked northern hemisphere side and SA won the RWC. And it still rankles.

They didn’t want just a couple of hours TV entertainment, they needed to salvage their pride against an underprepared team and regain the top ranking which they consider rightfully theirs.

You'd remember better than I do Fangle, but kind of has echos of 1981 too doesn't it?

Some Kiwis put rugby ahead of moral and ethical considerations back then in an effort to prove they were the best in the world, just like some are now putting rugby ahead of what is the right thing to do, just because their pride is a little bruised. It's quite sad really how fragile they are, and how quickly they will give up their principles.

And RWC 2007. Remember when they threatened the life of poor Wayne Barnes? Another shameful period in All Black Rugby.

[Guy Smiley]

There’s some classic basic psychology at play here...

basically, blame the other guy when you screw up, mixed in with all the bluff and bluster we’ve come to recognise in the Saffa sporting mindset. False bravado, big men making big men noises and huffing and puffing in a threatening manner until they’re ritualistically defeated, yet again, and reveal their whiney side, twisting and worming away from accountability.

I don’t give a rat’s arse about the RWC and you lot winning it. The writing was on the wall with that for me and there’s a problem within NZR and the succession plan for coaches... but that has nothing to do with the current situation.

Your Union had agreed to join the tournament. You were coming. Broadcast deals were being thrashed out so everyone could benefit and all partners are in a shared position of needing to generate that revenue.

That’s the background here.

Then at the last minute, your Union pulled the plug. After that we are hearing excuses based initially on player welfare, playing time and the like. We note the Argentinians have managed to cope with that challenge to their manhood successfully. We hear excuses based on COVID-19 and lockdowns... not mentioned before of course, just trotted out afterwards as justification. We note the Argentinians haven’t felt the need to defend their manhood with flushing hysteria like that despite facing similar challenges.

We note more of the same from our Saffa partners. False bravado, empty threats, stomping feet and slamming doors. Squirming, worming, twisting to try and justify more dishonour from their national Union and a shameful attempt to justify that on the back of the pandemic. Using a health emergency as an excuse... well played lads. Very courageous of you.

Your Union said you’d be coming. Trot out any excuse you like but at the end of the day, you just weren’t up to the challenge.

[Sandstorm]

3rd place RWC19

[Rinkals]

If you are talking about Sards, yes, that's pretty much how he rolls.

The rest of us are trying to explain why bringing an underprepared side to play against two sides that are showing the benefits of match fitness and currently playing at a standard which is a lot higher because of that benefits nobody apart from the 'fans' who would like to see us humiliated by a three figure margin and, hopefully, a few career-threatening injuries.

Which would be the only realistic outcome of our participation.

I'm not sure what lockdown measures were implemented in Argentina and whether they have had any opportunity to gain match fitness, but if their preparations have been as limited as ours, I hope they don't live to regret being strong armed into participating.

[Jb1981]

It was the last minute decision that is the frustration for me. If you accept everything as a valid reason, did any of it change? It feels like the reasoning at the end was a factor from day one and a decision could have been made much earlier. Maybe it was unrealistic optimism from SARU but the way it played out felt like being strung along.

[Sandstorm]

It was the last minute decision that is the frustration for me. If you accept everything as a valid reason, did any of it change? It feels like the reasoning at the end was a factor from day one and a decision could have been made much earlier. Maybe it was unrealistic optimism from SARU but the way it played out felt like being strung along.

You lot in your glass box have no idea how difficult the rest of the world is having it. EVERYTHING happens at the last moment and changes almost daily. It’s impossible to plan something and stick to it with Covid19.

Unless Covid19 isn’t a valid reason in NZ?

[Jb1981]

It was the last minute decision that is the frustration for me. If you accept everything as a valid reason, did any of it change? It feels like the reasoning at the end was a factor from day one and a decision could have been made much earlier. Maybe it was unrealistic optimism from SARU but the way it played out felt like being strung along.

You lot in your glass box have no idea how difficult the rest of the world is having it. EVERYTHING happens at the last moment and changes almost daily. It’s impossible to plan something and stick to it with Covid19.

Unless Covid19 isn’t a valid reason in NZ?

No, we aren’t experiencing what you and others are going through but from what you were seeing was Springbok attendance ever realistic? If it wasn’t, pulling the pin early would have been better than late.

[Green light echo]

It's not our fault NZRU and ARU couldn't understand that.

Bingo! They (the Kiwis in particular) are living on a completely different planet to everyone else at the moment.

I would hate to wish a proper Covid19 outbreak on anyone, but NZ are severely trying my patience......

But it is your fault. The ineptitude of your so called Government and the ill discipline, selfishness, and ignorance of your people created the situation you now find yourself in.

Let's contrast that with the ANZACS. Both NZ and OZ moved very quickly and initially pretty much stamped it out. Then the Victorian government contributed to a second wave through its hotel quarantine fiasco which could have gotten out of control. But it didn't and after 100 days of lockdown the last three days in Victoria have recorded new virus cases of 0,0,2, and deaths of 0,0,0. That is gold standard in dealing with a second wave.

This virus is like a mirror. It will reflect back to you who you are. If you are selfish, arrogant, ignorant and greedy you are going to be sorted out. NZ and OZ did it pretty much right, and Europe, the US and South Africa have had the mirror held up to them. And been found sorely lacking.

So to imply that it is not you fault is just totally lacking in self awareness and abrogation of responsibility. What a surprise. Now the rest of the world looks to the ANZACS in how to deal with a second wave. South Africa on the other hand is viewed with pity and derision.

It is all your fault boets, your Covid 19 response, your disgraceful treatment of your SANZAAR partners, and your continuing childish and weak assertions that the ANZACS just got lucky with Covid.

Sort yourselves out.

You are a clownshop.

[Sards]

No amount of pontificating and posturing will remove the shame we should be feeling as a nation

[Grandpa]

It was the last minute decision that is the frustration for me. If you accept everything as a valid reason, did any of it change? It feels like the reasoning at the end was a factor from day one and a decision could have been made much earlier. Maybe it was unrealistic optimism from SARU but the way it played out felt like being strung along.

You lot in your glass box have no idea how difficult the rest of the world is having it. EVERYTHING happens at the last moment and changes almost daily. It’s impossible to plan something and stick to it with Covid19.

Unless Covid19 isn’t a valid reason in NZ?

I'm in the UK... pretty much worse than anywhere else on the planet.. thanks to an inept government... but somehow elite sport has flourished.. rugby, soccer, cricket... so not sure the virus is an excuse? More down to politics...

[Carter's Choice]

SO what the South AFrican posters are saying is that until there is a vaccine for COVID-19 that has been distributed globally, we need to expect and assume that they will pull out tournaments 2 weeks before they're due to start and use COVID-19 as an excuse? Seems fair and reasonable. NH posters, good luck with their participation in the Pro 18 and expanded 6N

[Sandstorm]

It was the last minute decision that is the frustration for me. If you accept everything as a valid reason, did any of it change? It feels like the reasoning at the end was a factor from day one and a decision could have been made much earlier. Maybe it was unrealistic optimism from SARU but the way it played out felt like being strung along.

You lot in your glass box have no idea how difficult the rest of the world is having it. EVERYTHING happens at the last moment and changes almost daily. It’s impossible to plan something and stick to it with Covid19.

Unless Covid19 isn’t a valid reason in NZ?

I'm in the UK... pretty much worse than anywhere else on the planet.. thanks to an inept government... but somehow elite sport has flourished.. rugby, soccer, cricket... so not sure the virus is an excuse? More down to politics...

Local sport. England going to Rome this week is (I think) the first time any UK national team has travelled outside the islands since Feb? It’s a big deal.

SA teams aren’t going anywhere soon. Sorry.

[Grandpa]

You lot in your glass box have no idea how difficult the rest of the world is having it. EVERYTHING happens at the last moment and changes almost daily. It’s impossible to plan something and stick to it with Covid19.

Unless Covid19 isn’t a valid reason in NZ?

I'm in the UK... pretty much worse than anywhere else on the planet.. thanks to an inept government... but somehow elite sport has flourished.. rugby, soccer, cricket... so not sure the virus is an excuse? More down to politics...

Local sport. England going to Rome this week is (I think) the first time any UK national team has travelled outside the islands since Feb? It’s a big deal.

SA teams aren’t going anywhere soon. Sorry.

Incorrect. England Football team has already played matches all over Europe, as have a heap of club sides.... hundreds of games involving foreign travel... currently the English netball team is losing in NZ. Cricket - Australia and the West Indies have toured England over the summer... England off to SA soon as well. Elite sport carries on pretty much as normal in the petri dish of the world... even crowds at some matches... 11,000 at a Chelsea game tonight...

[assfly]

C'mon kiwis. It's been ages already. Time to get over it.

[Certain Navigator]

I think Handyman has nailed it. This is about Kiwi pride.

They should have won the WRC. All they had to do was beat the low ranked English in the semis and then thump SA in the finals the way they did in the group stages. The chickens were counted before they hatched. And then it all fell apart. They lost to what they considered to be a lower ranked northern hemisphere side and SA won the RWC. And it still rankles.

They didn’t want just a couple of hours TV entertainment, they needed to salvage their pride against an underprepared team and regain the top ranking which they consider rightfully theirs.

You'd remember better than I do Fangle, but kind of has echos of 1981 too doesn't it?

Some Kiwis put rugby ahead of moral and ethical considerations back then in an effort to prove they were the best in the world, just like some are now putting rugby ahead of what is the right thing to do, just because their pride is a little bruised. It's quite sad really how fragile they are, and how quickly they will give up their principles.

A South African lecturing others about putting "rugby ahead of moral and ethical considerations" is certainly a new level of irony.

Be honest. Your rugby union was duplicitous, inconsiderate, and ultimately cowardly, and you're trying to defend the indefensible. QED.

[Carter's Choice]

C'mon kiwis. It's been ages already. Time to get over it.

Closure requires honesty. If the SARU wants Kiwis to move on they need to stop making up ridiculous excuses for bailing out from this tournament a week before it started. 500 minutes of playing time, wtf? Scott Barrett played a fortnight ago after not playing since March.

[Jb1981]

C'mon kiwis. It's been ages already. Time to get over it.

Be serious - do we look like we’ve got the minutes under our belt to get over something quickly? Covid has changed everything.

Let’s agree a timeframe for us to decide whether we are over it and when that time has passed, give us another 48 hours to decide. Then, and only then, might we consider announcing whether we are over it or not .

[average joe]

Your unions knew about this from the get go. No promises was made except that we'll try and make it, we could not, sorry.

[assfly]

[handyman]

When is the court date?

[Carter's Choice]

When is the court date?

Undecided. Apparently the SARU lawyers can't make the hearing due to COVID-19 and needing 500 minutes of court time prior.

[handyman]

When is the court date?

Undecided. Apparently the SARU lawyers can't make the hearing due to COVID-19 and needing 500 minutes of court time prior.

There will be no court date. Not sure how NZ could not see that Covid would disrupt this year. The lack of foresight is astonishing.

[Jb1981]

C'mon kiwis. It's been ages already. Time to get over it.

Closure requires honesty. If the SARU wants Kiwis to move on they need to stop making up ridiculous excuses for bailing out from this tournament a week before it started. 500 minutes of playing time, wtf? Scott Barrett played a fortnight ago after not playing since March.

Maybe it is time we let go. The decision isn’t changing so why not look forward to the Springboks being led onto the field when they make their international return.

[assfly]

When is the court date?

Undecided. Apparently the SARU lawyers can't make the hearing due to COVID-19 and needing 500 minutes of court time prior.

That's actually quite funny

[Guy Smiley]

We need to get to the bottom of this so everyone can relax and get onto even terms. Perhaps some sort of truth and reconciliation investigation.

Anyone have any experience in how one of those would work?