Wales explain Principality Stadium decision as Jones puts forward seismic change to rugby
The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond today
Here are the latest rugby headline son Saturday, November 8.
Tandy explains Wales changes to stadium and training
Steve Tandy believes the significant changes he has made to Wales’ training schedule along with his decision to swap around the home and away changing rooms at the Principality Stadium will have a positive effect on his squad.
The new Wales head coach has put his own stamp on the environment after succeeding Warren Gatland.
“You speak to a lot of players at the start, and I’ve been lucky to have experiences in different environments as well, so I was researching, looking at things, and then the best way to learn, and then I did seek feedback on how players felt,” said Tandy.
“And it’s not a reflection of the past, it’s more about where we want to go to, and again, current generation, how do they learn, how do they see things, so yeah, we’ve definitely changed a little bit of the schedule, just to change it up as well, to make it feel different, and I’ve worked in different ones.
“I like this first front three-day model, where there’s lots of learning, lots of clarity on the Monday, faster day on the Tuesday, more physical on the Wednesday.
“Then there’s that time off, which has changed some of the meeting space, and how we want to be a little bit more interactive, and get the players more involved in that, which the boys have really responded to.”
Tandy also revealed there will be a redevelopment of the changing rooms in the future.
“And then the changing rooms, I think that’s where it isn’t about streaks, it’s more about the scope to redevelop and change that landscape,” he said.
“It’s about how we see that working, and there’s a great opportunity there for that to be developed, and if you look at the two changing rooms, there’s more scope, to do the warm-ups.
“If there’s anything at half-time, we can do with screens and things like that, there’s lots of scope to make that into something that I think could be outstanding.
“It wasn’t about not winning for a certain amount of time, it’s more if we’re changing things and how we want to learn.
“I think if we’re learning differently that needs to be matched down the stadium, and wherever we go, so that sort of mindset, that’s why a lot of those pieces have been implemented.”
Jones puts forward new ‘hybrid’ rugby
Japan head coach and former England boss Eddie Jones says rugby needs to make a massive change to survive the financial challenges it is facing.
Jones is adamant “something has to give” and has put forward a plan to fix the sport’s issues that would see the global calendar realigned and the introduction of a “hybrid” version of the sport.
Speaking on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast before Japan’s game in Dublin on Saturday, he laid out the big changes he would make.
“In terms of professionalism, there’s no doubt we are at a financial point where something is going to have to give,” Jones said.
“International teams are playing closer to 15 Tests because everyone needs more money. Say that takes up to 22 weeks, which leaves 30 weeks left of the year. How can you have a strong domestic season?
“The obvious answer is everyone has 10-team comps and they all play at the same time, and then you have a window for a Club World Cup competition that is the icing on the cake.
“But that’s going to take a huge realignment of World Rugby and I think we need to get to that.”
Jones is slightly sceptical about the details of the proposed R360 breakaway league currently in the headlines but believes some sort of new version of the sport, like cricket’s Twenty20 IPL tournament, which allows franchises to bid at auction for some of the sport’s biggest global stars, would be a good thing.
“We need to find a way to get more money and finance into the game,” Jones added.
“I think sports fans want to see something fast and exciting now. Do we need a hybrid game at the domestic level that is more exciting?
“Have the serious domestic comps, and then have some IPL-type, 12-a-side or some sort of concept that encourages new fans to come in.”
Ardie Savea: New Zealand ‘on edge’ ahead of Scotland clash
By Anthony Brown, PA
Ardie Savea says New Zealand will be driven by a desire to preserve their proud unbeaten record against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The All Blacks have never lost to the Scots in 32 meetings over the past 120 years, a scenario the captain believes will sharpen the minds of the visitors.
“You don’t want to be the first team (to lose to Scotland), so that puts us on edge a bit,” said back-rower Savea.
“We also understand Scotland’s mindset as well and how much it will mean to them tomorrow. It builds appropriate fear and we don’t want that to happen.
“We’ve prepared well, done what we can do through the week, now it’s just about turning up and playing.”
Savea played in the last meeting between the teams when the All Blacks had to come from 23-14 behind after an hour before winning 31-23 in 2022.
“It’s an amazing place to play,” he said of Murrayfield. “Scotland are a quality side. The last three games we’ve played it’s been within eight points.
“It’s no easy feat (to beat them), so we understand the challenge ahead and we’re really excited to come here and play.
“They’ve got some world-class players in their team, so that poses a threat.
“We’ve just got to turn up and nail our game.”
Savea is wary of the threat posed by Scotland talisman Finn Russell.
“I don’t know if there’s a way (to stop him),” he said. “It’s the beauty of a world-class player like Finn, he’s unpredictable. He does things no other players can do and I don’t think we can prepare.
“We’ve just got to nail our stuff in what we do and just try and shut his time down. He’s a world-class player and I’m really looking forward to playing against him.”
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