New Zealand: Ex-Black Fern labels New Zealand Rugby as ‘incredibly incompetent’ over fixture clash
Former Black Ferns star Louisa Wall has taken aim at New Zealand Rugby (NZR) over the clash of fixtures between the All Blacks’ Test against Japan and the Black Ferns’ quarter-final in the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The clash between the matches happens this weekend when the All Blacks will be playing their second half against Japan while the Black Ferns run out against Wales in the quarter-final.
NZR has been widely criticised for the clash of fixtures, which could have been avoided relatively simply. However, Wall did not mince her words when commenting on the situation.
“Incredibly incompetent”
“I think it’s an indication that NZ Rugby puts the All Blacks above anything,” Wall told Newstalk ZB.
“So, a game for the All Blacks is more important than a (Black Ferns) quarter-final in the Rugby World Cup. That’s pretty bad.
“It’s incredibly incompetent, and if I was the governor (of NZ Rugby) I would want to know exactly why and how this happened.”
Wall believes it is a deep-rooted issue within the organisation, and NZR cannot hide behind weak claims that it was “a simple mistake”.
“The individual has a choice,” she said. “But I think this was an organisational choice, that was a fundamental issue.
“They are trying to say it was a simple mistake. But when you value something, you don’t make mistakes like this.”
Wall will watch the beginning of the All Blacks game before switching over to the Black Ferns, something she hopes is done around the country.
“What I am hoping is that all the pubs and clubs will do exactly what I do,” Wall said.
“Watch the first half of the All Blacks, and switch over and let the general public only watch the Black Ferns live.”
“Simple oversight”
Meanwhile, NZR’s general manager for professional and performance, Chris Lendrum, claimed the clash was a genuine mistake.
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“It’s a simple oversight that’s unfortunately had bigger consequences,” he said.
“We’re really gutted, to be honest. We’re like every other rugby fan in New Zealand. We want to watch both games live.
“We were aware of it as an organisation, but the right people weren’t aware of it.”