All Blacks: Old hands, young pros argue the toss

Debaters Ian Jones, Gary Whetton and Sean Fitzpatrick. Photo / Sarah Ivey

"It was tougher in my day" is a familiar complaint from rugby stars of the past.

Two teams representing rugby's amateur era and professionalism tackled the issue yesterday in a light-hearted debate which had everyone laughing.

In one corner, three All Black legends in Sean Fitzpatrick, Ian Jones and Gary Whetton, with a combined total of 229 test caps.

Claiming that today's players have a harder time was Auckland first five Gareth Anscombe, Blues coach Pat Lam and broadcaster Melodie Robinson, a former Black Fern.

MC James Somerset, a former Auckland wing, kept things in check as both sides debated injuries, "what goes on tour stays on tour", the new jerseys, dealing with the media, training, and team drinks at the pub.

Asked how he would handle an injury compared with today, Jones responded with an old-school answer.

"Get injected. Walk out. Nobody would know about it," he said.

Fitzpatrick summed up the old era's thoughts on the mental side of the game with just two words.

"Sports psychologists?" he said, grinning with a confused look on his face.

Anscombe, just 20 and fresh from his rookie season with Auckland, said the emphasis on being a good role model today was far greater than what the old era had to deal with.

"We're trying to be good role models. Back in the day people would have beers but now we can't do that without scrutiny."

Lam acknowledged that without the efforts of the legends of the past, rugby would not be where it is today.

"It's tough then and it's certainly tough now."

And the winners? Somerset gave the debate to Anscombe's team.