Hey Kamo
Instead of watching the NZRU's red team play the NZRU's yellow team, wouldn't it be great to see a competition at this time of the year that was grounded in provincial fibre? With privatised unions, we could see expanded academies, unions with international stars and, most importantly, a super rugby competition that was gained by promotion from the ITM Cup.
Jed Smethurst
Jed, I totally understand the importance of provincial rugby to New Zealand and how many people are passionate to see their teams play at the highest level in the Southern Hemisphere, but the reality is, in the short term, it's not going to happen.
We have a great place for our NPC, placed well away from impacting on club rugby. The NPC at all levels should satisfy our provincial allegiances. It has the promotion-relegation element to give it that edge, and is getting financially sustainable because of the length of the competition and its condition of entry. To put extra burden on our unions with an extended academy system or force them into negotiations with the stars of the game would be financial suicide. Privatisation is not an option when the NZRU doesn't want to give up anything to sell.
Hi Kamo,
Ali Williams is obviously in the twilight of his career and copping a bit of criticism of late. I seem to recall you went through a similar situation towards the end of your career. How did you deal with it?
Cheers,
Kelly Johnston
Criticism isn't nice on any level, Kelly, and we have all copped plenty over the years. One thing I was taught was to take the good points and learnings from what respected critics were saying about you or your game and make sure some good would come out of the comments.