REACTION: SANSAAR was left with egg on its collective face over false claims by Rugby Australia and current SANZAAR Chairman Hamish McLennan.
The organisation that runs the Rugby Championship and Super Rugby issued a peculiar and curious statement to ápologise’for a false claim made by McLennan on a podcast.
In a wide-ranging interview with the Auckland-based NewstalkZB Rugby Direct podcast, McLennan claimed there could be ”drastic changes to the Rugby Championship schedule’.
He claimed the move was pushed for by South Africa and Argentina in order for their largely European-based players to have sufficient rest during a calendar year.
McLennan said Australia supported moving the tournament and suggested New Zealand were the only SANZAAR partner nation against the move.
He hinted that it could put South Africa’s involvement in jeopardy.
“I worry South Africa will migrate north completely,” McLennan told the Rugby Direct podcast earlier on Thursday.
“That would be a disaster for New Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia.
“Ultimately it’s going to come down to New Zealand in this instance.
“We understand the complexities around shifting the provincial competitions.
“It’s not ideal for us, either, but if it keeps the whole ecosystem together and we build assets globally then we’re open to it.
“It’s going to land on NZR’s doorstep, and they’ve got to decide what they’re going to do.”
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