ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Sport
NEVER RECOVERED
The descent of New Zealand and Australian Rugby into the abyss has been unequivocally traced back to the very moment when The Sunwolves made their exit from the Super Rugby stage.
As the Wallabies prepare for an early World Cup exit and the All Blacks try to keep their playoff hopes alive after a first ever pool play loss, pundits have been trying to work out where it all started going wrong.
Reflecting on the dwindling confidence within Super Rugby teams, NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson offers a sombre perspective: “When the trans-Tasman sides can no longer muster 80 points against their opponents, you can’t help but question the impact on the morale of our Super Rugby outfits which then leads into international rugby.
“While some may posit that the South African sides’ departure played a role, it is abundantly clear that The Sunwolves’ exit was the catalyst for decline in quality. Have you seen the Crusaders chalk up 80-90 points against their opposition lately?”
There can be no doubt that ever since the Sunwolves left what was once dubbed the best competition in the world, fans have seen a dropoff in quality.
Rumours are now beginning to swirl about a grassroots petition to bring back the Japanese legends.
More to come.
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