OPINION: Would it have been better for All Blacks to face full-strength Griquas and Co?
The days of touring teams taking on strong provincial sides, with players out to make a point, are long gone.
Ma’a Nonu's commanding haka performance at Kings Park in Durban on Tuesday night could be considered one of the standout moments of the All Blacks' recent tour against South African provincial teams. It may even rank among the most memorable highlights of the entire tour, which includes Test matches later this month. However, the series may end in a 2-2 draw following the match against the full-strength United Rugby Championship sides in Baltimore, USA.
The organizers have questioned the necessity of this additional Test, arguing that a series of three matches in South Africa would have been more ideal. The current post-season URC teams are not at their peak, having only recently begun pre-season preparation. Consequently, these teams may not be as formidable or exciting to watch as their full-strength counterparts, potentially making the games less competitive and engaging for fans.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
