ABs match against Samoa will be a farce
Relevant offers
Greg Ford
There is no way test caps should be awarded to the All Blacks for their upcoming match against Samoa.
Not when Samoan coach Niko Palamo admitted this past week, albeit grudgingly, that his side will be a mere shadow to that which played in the Pacific Nations Cup.
A mismatch of monumental proportions is in the offing on September 3.
Northern hemisphere clubs, to which most of Palamo's best players are beholden, are refusing to grant releases for the match in New Plymouth.
Even several Air New Zealand Cup teams are understood to be balking when it comes to releasing players for the game. The All Blacks will effectively be playing against Samoa B.
The match will be a farce. Samoa will get a pounding. The All Blacks will get very little out of it. And test rugby's fading status will take another thumping.
To top it all off, Dan Carter will probably break his leg and Richie McCaw his arm.
Let's hope not. What this has the smell of is an unholy mess. So why give it test match status?
When this question was put to New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew yesterday he was candid enough to admit they had considered stripping it of test status.
"But the simple fact is teams like England have been sending below-strength teams to New Zealand and we awarded those matches full test match status."
He's right. A precedent of sorts has been set. But it's time for a new precedent to preserve the sanctity of tests, something which has been under considerable pressure for some time now.
Games against cannon-fodder teams like Samoa B should still be played. The All Blacks can't shirk their obligations to minnows of the game. But there is no reason why their status can't be downgraded to a first-class fixture.
Of course, that might make matches like these a little harder to market to the masses and Tew conceded this was another factor in awarding the fixture test match status.
But how are the good people of Taranaki, who are understandably chuffed to be hosting the match, going to feel after the All Blacks absolutely flog Samoa in what will be nothing more than a glorified training run.
I'd suggest they'll feel a little short changed.
That's if they go to the venue looking for a meaningful sporting contest because there's no way in this world it's going to be one.
Palamo touches down in Auckland this week and will hold a hastily-arranged trial between the 20 or so players he's bringing with him from the islands and a selection of Auckland-based Samoans.
But, despite three players from Japan also being granted releases, Palamo warned that "I probably will have just one player from the forward pack that played in the Pacific Nations Cup and the situation isn't looking much better in the backs".
"We will play with spirit and courage and this is a massive opportunity for our boys. But it's going to be tough, really tough, and realistically, we will be happy if we're competitive."
Why the game isn't being played in Apia is a mystery. The NZRU will make about $500,000 from this, if it's lucky. That's about the same as it makes when the Kiwi dollar drops against the US by a point or three. Had it set the game in Samoa it could have profited massively from the goodwill.
Palamo said it "would have been huge for the game in the islands".
And it would have at least been a nice holiday for the likes of Dan Carter and the rest before they tear back into the Tri-Nations.
Do you think the test against Samoa should be downgraded to a first class match? Post your comments below.
- © Fairfax NZ News
Sponsored links
Newest First
Oldest First
Couldn't agree more. The NZRU loves to import and keep the best, and Samoa and the other islands have little leg room to deal with it. New Zealand-born Islanders should be allowed to play for their Island nations if they don't make it to the All Black ground. I'm sure the NZRU and Samoa can work out an agreement.
although i'm a AB fan through and through, it's sad to see NZRU treat the likes of Samoa, Tonga and Fiji like this. NZRU have staged this test when Samoa are understrength, which doesn't benefit the small island. Also, it would be good to see the ABs play a test in Apia for once, they always talk about the development of the game but we all know that is all bullshit, because NZRU don't want Samoa, Tonga and Fiji to improve ... just look at the current ABs, there's a healthy number of islanders in there.
This game will not help us against Australia in Brisbane, just like playing minnows Italy B, Romania B, Portugal, and Scotland B were terrible preparation for a real test match against France in Cardiff last year. This game is for cash, which is fine, but Henry & Co seem to be falling into the same trap as before in believing that they can get anything meaningful from it.
If they were really trying to prepare the team for the game against Australia they should set up an internal match where the rest of the squad play against Richie and Dan. But if they must play Samoa, at least let them play with 10 forwards and 8 backs to make it slightly closer.
Samoa A? Thompson, hore, thorn, sommerville, williams, boric, braid, o'neil, mccaw, ellis, carter, cowan, weepu, donald, smith, mcdonald, kahui, sivivatu, tuitavake, wulf, nonu, luaki, afoa, mealamu and tialatta would all disagree with the idea they are Samoa A. And I suspect Kaino, Schwalger, Muliaina, and Toeava probably consider themselves kiwi at this point.... But i agree with you, it will be a good work out physically, aas long as no one gets injured!
Forget debating the status of the game - there should be no match at all. If the Samoans are unable to bring the All Blacks a strong team, then a match of any kind is pointless. Samoa is too special to have a non-test match with. It's better to change the date and wait for Samoa to get its strongest players, and then a test can take place.
Tew must really want that $500,000, assuming that he gets it.
Last thing anyone should do is under etimate the power of playing for your nation, The all balcks must repect the samoans and field as strong a team as possible, hell we would be peaved if another nation would send a second team to play us, so lets not lower our standerds and cheapen our selves like other nations would do... any player can break arm leg or any other one during a game or during there week... To use that as an excuse is pitiful and wrapping any all black or other sports person in bubble wrap is wrong, you may aswell call yourself Helen and feedthem through a tube too... But then maybe you think that they instead need a condition time more than real game time... pick one or the other... Rugby is a game where you Man Up to all opposition on any given day and not shy away from a challange...
I think this game should be good, whether the all blacks are playing " Samoa B " I see it as Samoa A ( all blacks ) vs Samoa B ( lol ) ;-) . It might not be a good game for the all blacks but it would be good for the up and coming Samoan players. All blacks will give them a good hiding but also receive a good bashing at the same time. We would love to see a number of tries ( Even if it's one way ) and big tackles from the Samoan defence.. good entertainment I say. Rugby is the winner at the final whistle...
"Dan Carter will probably break his leg and Richie McCaw his arm."
Don't even joke about it. If this happens I urge the entire nation to hold you responsible.
I'm not sure what the big deal is. Are we saying that if it was classed as a 1st class match as opposed to a Test match that less people would turn up? I don't think so. I am from N.P and you could have said it was the All Blacks v Samoa club final and it would still have sold out! If you asked the majority of the people that go along to this game on the Wednesday night, I would be very surprised if they new if it had Test match status or not, nor would they care.
Ko shares lead at New Zealand Women's Open
Phoenix go down to Central Coast
Drysdale reclaims national title at Karapiro
Paddison leading Victoria PGA Championship
Ross Taylor set to miss ODI series
Peter Taylor wins in world best time
Guptill blasts Black Caps to victory in first T20
Phoenix and Mariners both without for clash
Manly fall to Leeds at World Club Challenge
Hurricanes weather elements to beat Chiefs
Knicks Lin-ning streak comes to an end
Abercrombie magic gets Breakers back on track
Parents don't want son's killer in town
Tourist charged after hitting motorcyclist
Drysdale reclaims national title at Karapiro
Murder accused: I didn't do it
Flags and hope on Libya's uneasy anniversary
Murdoch fights back with "Sun on Sunday"
Hotchin's Waiheke property for sale
FBI foil suicide attack on US Capitol
German president Christian Wulff resigns
Trap for burglars catches policeman
Armed thieves loot Greek museum
If it' good enough to give test stati's to minnows like (SAMOA} at the World Cup and 3rd rate British and French touring sides then why not?? Dont be so bloody concieted and think this is only doing Samoa a favour, without this game the AB's would end up at Queensland underdone,and get donkey lick'd like Sydney.