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New Zealand’s Head Coach wants World rugby to suspend world rankings. Ian Foster has called-upon the sport’s governing body to do so due to the ongoing doubt over international competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Zealand are yet to play following RWC 2019. The All Blacks missed out on home matches in July, as did all others. In fact, aside from the Six Nations there are no certainties over games. Japan will not play whatsoever, but others are scheduled to play in November and December.
New Zealand are due to host Australia on October 11 and 18 before traveling to Australia for the Rugby Championship. Argentina and South Africa are also scheduled to compete. Whether this will eventuate, or not, remains to be seen.
Uncertainties have resulted in speculation that world champions, South Africa should pull out of the Rugby Championship. Playing may see a fall in the rankings, a potential disaster given that the world rankings, on December 14, will determined RWC 2023 seedings.
Yet, Foster’s concerns with the rankings are not related to seedings. He simply wants rugby to be played. He was quoted by Mark Hinton as saying:
“I even hear talk from a South African ex-captain that the Springboks shouldn’t come because they might lose their world ranking with their preparation. Well, let’s can the world rankings for this year. Who really cares?”
“What’s more important right now is we get the game on the park, and we put some international rugby on the park and let people enjoy it. Of course we want to win and be No 1, but I‘d hate to let little things like that stand in the road of us playing international rugby.”
Domestic rugby in South Africa is yet o resume. The same is true of Argentina. In the case of the latter, COVID-19 continues to affect preparations. Sebastián Cancelliere, Julián Montoya, and Domingo Miotti tested positive for COVID-19 today.
