Spy: Wags welcome on Rugby World Cup tour

Dan and Honor Carter. Photo / Richard Robinson

Bickering among the travelling circus of Wags accompanying Australia's cricket team in the UK has been blamed for the side's failure to return with the Ashes.

The claims include ructions between the respective partners of senior players that spilled into strained relationships within the Ockers' dressing room over the past month.

And as the Aussies lick their wounds over their cricketing failure - which Spy has loved to witness - and debate whether Wags should continue to be allowed on tour, we can reveal that our Wags are being encouraged to accompany the All Blacks when they head to the UK next month to chase Rugby World Cup glory.

Expect to see the likes of Gemma Flynn, the partner of captain courageous Richie McCaw, and Honor Dillon, Dan Carter's lovely wife.

Spy understands part of the reason partners and children of our men in black are able to go on tour is to provide some normality in the players' lives as they battle against the rugby world's elite and face up to the hype that will surround the team as it defends the World Cup.

Richie McCaw and Gemma Flynn. Photograph / Norrie Montgomery

"A lot of thought goes into planning the year around the players and the players' group and how they manage their lives outside the team and what support and opportunities are available to them," New Zealand Rugby Players' Association boss Rob Nichol said.

"With the Rugby World Cup, because it is held over an extended period, they focus on what can be done to support partners. It's all a little different, depending on each player's situation.

"It's a pretty long-standing model and it has certainly stood the test of time."

Spy reckons if some precious family time will help bring out the best in McCaw and his team-mates at the World Cup, then the travelling Wag policy should be applauded.