It is barely 18 months since rugby coaches from New Zealand were in a three-way fight for global domination, with the bookies placing them just behind Mark Zuckerberg and slightly ahead of Huawei. Kiwis to the right of us, Kiwis to the left. You couldn’t walk the dog without bumping into one.
The country’s media was characteristically bullish about this silver ferned hegemony, throwing around numbers like confetti.
A third of the head coaches at the World Cup in Japan would be from the All Black nation, it reported with something approaching complete satisfaction, while the figure in Super Rugby had sailed past 50 percent.
As there was also a healthy presence in all three major European leagues – a Chris Boyd and a Pat Lam here, a Jono Gibbes and a Vern Cotter there, a Dave Rennie and a Kieran Crowley somewhere else – it was tempting to wonder if the New Zealanders were seeking a monopoly. If you can’t beat it, they appeared to have decided, colonize it.
Which was beyond satire. Prominent NZRFU figures attacked the professional model in Europe from the get-go – in so far as they ever warmed to the big club tournaments in England and France, it was only to the point of merely loathing them – yet they were perfectly comfortable with the idea of prize assets heading for the northern hemisphere badlands in search of self-improvement.
Denne historien er fra July 05, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra July 05, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
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Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
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Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
