Rugby Update: All Blacks bans Getty just before the Tri-Nations’ final
NZRU (New Zealand Rugby Union) has jumped into action after Getty Images’ photograph of their team tactics created controversy just before the tri-nation final against arch-rivals Wallabies. Getty Images photographer Scott Barbour, who took the infamous photo, is banned access to their team training session along with Getty images. Now, Getty won’t be able to cover All Blacks’ training sessions starting in Melbourne next week.
On the other hand, New Zealand and Australian coaches have tried to tone down the significance of the photos but NZRU is furious at this digression. NZRU was powerless to deny Getty from Saturday’s Bledisloe clash, as it comes under Australian Rugby Union but they have made clear that Getty won’t be allowed in next week’s trans-Tasman match in Christchurch. New Zealand manager Darren Shand has confirmed Barbour’s exclusion from team media interactions. He also stated that negotiations with Getty Images for future collaborations were underway.
However, Shand‘s assistant Steve Hansen was furious at Barbour’s behaviour. He termed Barbour’s action as “breach of trust” and violation of “unwritten rule”. Emphasizing on his point, New Zealand’s assistant coach said that even if photographers are not given instructions regarding their sessions’ shoots but it was commonsense not to include such sensitive materials such as their game plans in their assignments. Australian media had journalism fest last week, when they repeatedly reproduced the photo in newspapers. Nevertheless, Hansen insisted that it won’t affect All Blacks’ preparation for the final.
NZRU chief Steve Tew has dismissed reports that NZRU was contemplating on taking legal actions against Getty Images. Commenting on the controversy, he said, “We think it is important to be open. But at international level the margins that separate the teams are so marginal that the smallest thing can make a difference.”
Barbour is currently considered one of reputed sport photographer of the World. He even won World Photography Awards in the sport category at Cannes, this year. On the other hand, Wallabies’ coach Robbie Deans took a comic approach to whole controversy. He said, “I understand it was a Kiwi photographer, so I do find that amusing.”
Meanwhile, All Blacks believes that they will face main threat from Australian prodigy David Pocock in the upcoming final. Pocock has been in limelight since his performance in this year’s Super 14 and last week’s Tri-Nation victory over South Africa. New Zealand captain McCaw believes that young Australian is the toughest opponent he has ever faced. This is great compliment for Pocock as McCaw played against the likes of George Smith and Phil Waugh in his illustrious career. McCaw has clear memory of Pocock’s debut against All Blacks. Commenting on it, McCaw said, “He played well that night. I couldn't get into that game because we were struggling to win the collisions.”
All-Blacks’ coach Graham Henry is also wary of Pocock’s threat to his team’s chances. “He's very combative at the tackle, and physically very strong and stable. So he has the ability to hang in. You get smashed around a lot trying to do the job in that area of the game, and he has the physical and mental strength to be able to handle that,” Henry said. McCaw also agrees with Henry’s examination of Zimbabwe-born Pocock. He said, “He did make quite a nuisance of himself at the breakdown and you could see the Boks getting frustrated. So he had an impact there. These days he's pretty good at reading how to get in there and be a menace. He reminds me a bit of George Smith in the way how he picks his time really well.”
It will be clash of the titans, when Australian takes on New Zealand in the Tri-Nations’ final. Both arch-rivals will be looking to settle some old score. It will also be interesting to see the strategy Kiwis will use to stop Pocock in the final. Will it be any different form the photo released by Barbour? Only time will tell.
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