It is about time some rugby internationals lose 'test' status

[Parra]

After the debacle of last years second string Welsh and South African touring sides we find out that the French are now sending out a B Team as well.

At least in the Pacific nations we enter an Australia A side and the Kiwis enter a NZ Maori side - no pretence that these are Wallaby all All Black teams.

The weak touring sides should stay home, be forced to play against our state teams or at least the internationals should be branded 'friendlies' instead of tests - sort of like the joke soccer matches that are staged.

At least the Irish are taking the tests seriously, and we know the All Blacks will. The last thing rugby needs is for internationals to become pointless in the way league internationals have.

 

[Te Kaha]

No international game between two countries in any sport should be considered meaningless or pointless... do you think the players who are selected think it doesnt mean anything??? playing for your country is considered an honor... and League internationals are NOT or have they every been pointless.

 

[Parra]

When countries do not pick their best sides, or have something other than winning as a motive in playing an international, then is seems pointless - certainly doesn't involve the honor or meaning that you are alluding to.

League internationals have suffered a downgrade ever since origin has been promoted as the pinnacle of the game. Origin has been very successful, but it has come at a cost to RL internationals.

 

[Te Kaha]

yes League internationals have been "downgraded" as Origin is now the pinnicle... this does not make them pointless or meaningless by and sense of the words... public perception doesnt make something a fact.

Bringing "test" sides to a country with so called second stringers will only cause those teams and countries embarressment and worse, now that seedings are based on ranking points, potentially disastrous when the so called pinicle of test rugby i.e. the world cup comes around.

No player representing a country in any sport would want its status diminished due to the perpception of the other teams strength.

 

[shiznit]

i dont think stripping these matches of there 'test' status will make any difference. even in football friendlies you barely see full strength sides these days.

imo you just thrash the pants off them if they dont show up. at the end of the day the only damage done is to the reputation of the weakened sides...

 

[Alehana]

When countries do not pick their best sides, or have something other than winning as a motive in playing an international, then is seems pointless - certainly doesn't involve the honor or meaning that you are alluding to.

League internationals have suffered a downgrade ever since origin has been promoted as the pinnacle of the game. Origin has been very successful, but it has come at a cost to RL internationals.

In that case, every since grahem henry took over the all blacks, the tests have been pointless? (rotation policy)

would love league internationals to be pinnacle instead of SOO, only involves 2 states in australia, i dont know how any1 outside of NSW or QLD could play SOO, i'd rather represent NZ,

 

[Parra]

It is not just about a 'rotation' policy - although that is a bit suspect. It is the examples of teams resting most of the squad for entire series, because there is something more important than the test matches - and this weakens tests.

Prior to the last world cup the Boks fielded deliberately weakened sides,as did the Welsh. In other words, these teams threw test matches for the sake of a perceived higher goal.

The French are touring with a national team that has no representatives from the top four teams of the domestic competition. The message is clear - their domestic comp is more important than winning tests. There goes your national pride.

Maybe the matches should not be stripped of test status - the nations should be.

I cannot recall Australia or NZ ever fielding a less-than-best side or a side that was deliberately not up to standard. This is the standard that all tests should be played at - wherever and whenever they are played.

 

[Alehana]

soudns like french rugby turning into rugby leagues idea of game (eg putting domestic b4 international)

 

[Teddyboy]

It's funny but when South Africa,Australia,New Zealand and Argentina tour France as well as the other 5 nations the fans pack out the stadiums,while it's a different kettle of fish in the SANZAR countries.

 

[Alehana]

some of those countries dont have afl