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'I think that's ridiculous': Blues coach Leon MacDonald, All Blacks star react to World Rugby's proposed law changes

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Blues head coach Leon MacDonald has dismissed law change proposals from World Rugby’s medical group in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus once the game is back up and running again.

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The game’s global governing body has suggested that scrum re-sets and upright tackles should be scrapped, while also recommending that teams change jerseys, headgear and wash their hands at halftime.

Former All Blacks playmaker MacDonald rejected those concepts, though, as he highlighted that players and coaches are already doing as much as they can to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.

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In conversation with Richard Kahui

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In conversation with Richard Kahui

“Look, if we play the game, we have to play it properly,” he said.

“We are taking all the right precautions and wherever possible, we will adhere to the safety recommendations, but once you get on the park and you’re tackling and all that, you have to be ready to play.

“It’s going to be a tough competition, so we have to make sure we are contact-ready, and just trying to get that balance right between safety and match-ready.

“I think we probably would have had a directive by now, if we were going to have no scrums, so we are expecting everything to look like rugby when we resume.”

That’s a sentiment shared by All Blacks and Chiefs halfback Brad Weber, who didn’t mince his words when asked about the potential law changes to the scrum.

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“No, I think that’s ridiculous,” he said. “When you’re making tackles or cleaning out, it’s pretty much exactly the same.

“We may as well play touch rugby, if that’s what they’re suggesting.”

MacDonald, meanwhile, was excited by the prospect of deploying new star signing Beauden Barrett in the Blues’ first match of the Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign, which will be against his former side the Hurricanes at Eden Park in just over a fortnight.

“He’s a student of the game. He does his homework. He’s thorough. He likes to know his role and everyone around him. His preparation is meticulous. The way he prepares his body and kicks – he’s a real pro. He knows what he needs to do to perform,” MacDonald said.

“Ma’a [Nonu] was like that last year for us. Beauden spends as much time in the books as he does on the grass. The young guys are learning from that so you can’t put a figure on that mental shift.”

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Super Rugby Aotearoa kicks-off between the Highlanders and Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on June 13.

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R
RedWarrior 52 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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