By WYNNE GRAY
Remember the cacophony of criticism about how the All Blacks were too controlled during the latter years of John Hart's tenure, how they were inaccessible, even detached?
Well, don't believe it is any better this season.
If the public saw Hart as the controller, then new manager Andrew Martin has inherited his mantle.
This week TV3, the official free-to-air rugby broadcaster, was refused one-to-one interviews despite following the normal request procedures. Even that most courteous gent, captain Todd Blackadder, was off limits.
The only conclusion can be that Martin allowed the tactic as a reprisal for TV3's coverage of Tana Umaga's intoxicated journey in Christchurch a fortnight ago.
The players are as amiable as they have ever been, but all season contact with the media has been strictly regulated, which has affected contact with the public.
After the team is announced, usually on a Wednesday night, the All Black management decides which players they will make available for interviews.
On a Thursday night they allow further interviews, but often requests are turned down. For instance, this week the Herald wanted to talk to Kees Meeuws and Tana Umaga, but those requests were denied and only after some negotiation could replacement chats with Ron Cribb and Anton Oliver be delivered.
The team and the media have a strange relationship. Certainly, the All Blacks felt they were overexposed last season and have apparently requested fewer commitments.
Coverage of Umaga's public stumble must have reinforced their distrust of the media and in this case they have a point. There was an excessive denouncement of the wing's actions.
But reducing contact creates a problem. The New Zealand Rugby Union does not appear to encourage contact on many issues and that attitude filters down to the team.
Even their schedule takes them further away from the public than they have ever been. Sure, the people of Palmerston North get to see them train most weeks at the rugby institute, but this year, when they arrive at test venues in the main centres there is no chance for public interaction. They train once, in private.
So it is left to the media, as conduits to the All Blacks' public following, to relay what is happening.
This is all part of interest in, or promotion of, the national game. But at the moment there is uneasy sparring and some serious regulation - and this, after five test victories.
All Blacks test programme 2000
Rugby: Control is the real name of the game
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.