Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan delivered a broadside against his New Zealand counterparts after a “wondrously ironic” 16-16 draw undercut assertions that Australian teams don’t deserve equal billing in a revamped Super Rugby competition.
McLennan claimed vindication after the Wallabies’ much-improved display in Wellington when they were inches from victory as Reece Hodge’s post-siren penalty hit the upright.
He told Stuff.co.nz that all year they have been told that they cannot compete, and they don’t have the player strength, so a 16-16 draw was wondrously ironic.
Rugby’s governing bodies in New Zealand and Australia have been locked in arguments over the future of Super Rugby and the format of this year’s Test-level Rugby Championship.
Cash-strapped Australia has accused New Zealand -- which has the larger market and the stronger teams -- of arrogance after Kiwi officials said up to three Australian sides should be left out of a trans-Tasman Super Rugby competition.
McLennan earlier said that the relationship between administrators either side of the Tasman was at the “lowest ebb it’s ever been”.
The Wallabies will take on the All Blacks at 3pm Sunday in their second Bledisloe Cup match.
[Source: Fox Sports]
