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0 Hamish McLennan has fanned the flames of the latest trans-Tasman row, with the Rugby Australia chairman telling the Sydney Morning Herald that he had laughed at fierce criticism from a trio of All Blacks legends.
RA is committed to next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition but McLennan says “all bets are off” beyond that as Australia considers going it alone at provincial level.
Kiwi greats Sir John Kirwan, Jeff Wilson and Mils Muliaina, as well as Highlanders boss Roger Clark, have all voiced their disappointment at McLennan’s position, while Wallabies coach Dave Rennie also wants Australia to keep playing across the ditch.
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And Australian legend Tim Horan urged RA to be careful with any moves to walk away on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.
“Bring it on. I was laughing about it. It didn’t worry me at all,” McLennan said of the criticism from New Zealand.
“Those guys are not privy to the actions of NZR in recent times. Their aggressive reaction towards Australia perhaps shows why they are not good partners. They have reacted so violently when we’ve honoured their two year deal.”
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Speaking from France in the SMH interview, McLennan also sheeted the blame at NZ’s door for the recent SANZAAR shake up.
“Why are they so annoyed at us exercising our right to explore our options when they forcibly kicked out South Africa and Argentina from Super Rugby for good?
“South Africa leaving SANZAAR will have a far more devastating impact on rugby in our part of the world.”
Sean Maloney and Andrew Mehrtens welcome back Morgan Turinui to review the Super Rugby Pacific final and are joined by the legendary HG Nelson to talk about ‘The Cream’ and anything else they think of
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Australian rugby greats share classic stories and relive major controversies on Stan Sport’s Glory Days series
