John O’Neill asks SANZAR to look into injuries of 21 Springbok players – Rugby news
The announcement of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) regarding injuries to 21 of their first-choice players in RWC training squad and their non-availability during the away matches of the upcoming Tri Nations tournament has not been well received by
the other Tri-Nations participants. Australian Rugby Union (ARU) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) John O’Neill has raised his concern over the unavailability of the players that together form the Springboks first choice team. O’ Neil has confirmed on Friday,
July 8, that he has takenup the issue directly with the South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby (SANZAR) CEO, Greg Peters, and asked him to personally investigate the issue.
SARU has a poor track record in this regard and previously, other members felt aggrieved by their actions in 2007 in which they rested their first-choice players as a strategy to win the 2007 Rugby World Cup (RWC).
It’s widely believed that the SARU is using the injuries as a smoke screen to rest key players and ensure that they remain fresh for the start of the 2011 RWC campaign.
O’Neill added that SANZAR members made it clear that they’ll not tolerate any similar action in the future. He further added, “The difference between 2007 and now is that we now have a permanent SANZAR office with a CEO, who has the job of monitoring and
policing such matters, he (Peters) will be following up on this announcement.”
O’Neill has termed the timing of stating the list of injuries as suspicious. He said, “A couple of weeks ago we had rumours coming out of the Republic that they may be sending an understrength team. We received assurances at the time that the only players
not included would be genuinely injured.”
O’Neill further added, “We're not in a position to second-guess the Springboks, and we also have our share of injured players. But it is nowhere near 21. The sheer size of the number of players who are injured is unusual, that's why we have asked for assurances.”
The CEO went on to also mention that Australia’s World Cup preparation were starting immediately and believed that the integrity of the Tri-Nations series was extremely important. SARU’s action are being seen as a sneaky way of getting around the rules.
Springboks head coach, Peter de Villiers, has termed a relatively longer Super Rugby season as the source of injuries to his players. This year’s competition was extended because of the inclusion of a total of 15 teams in the competition. Peter de Villiers
said, "A lot of the games were tough and a lot of the players aggravated their injuries because they had to play all the time.”
Earlier, it was announced the no SANZAR participating team will send their second string team for the upcoming Tri Nations tournament.
Tags: