Rugby Australia threaten All Blacks

Rugby Australia have reportedly threatened to send a $5million bill New Zealand’s way after the latter look set to withdraw from the rescheduled Bledisloe Cup match on 4 September. 

Wallaby boss Dave Rennie has criticised the All Black’s behaviour, calling it disrespectful as a dark cloud of uncertainty now hangs over the 2021 Rugby Championship. 

The Western Australian government have said that they will reclaim the $5million they sent to Rugby Australia for the sold-out Test in Perth should it not go ahead.

"I want it in writing,” said RA chief executive Andy Marinos, referring to a guarantee that RA requested from the All Blacks saying that they will not withdraw.  

“We have an email, but we need a letter for both the government and the stadium as well. 

"That should be forthcoming pretty soon. 

"I’ve made New Zealand very aware that we have a contract and they’ve made a commitment.

"It’s incredibly disappointing to be informed of this decision via the media, despite having a conversation with the CEO moments before and there (was) no mention that this was the intention."

However, New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson has refuted RA's stance, saying that the latter have been kept in the loop regarding the decision. 

"We tried to give Rugby Australia as much time as possible, until Friday afternoon, to have quarantine tidied up with Queensland," Robinson told Newstalk ZB.

"That was unable to be achieved and, therefore, we weren’t really able to get on a plane.

"Certainly I know that senior All Blacks and Wallabies were discussing the situation and our players were making them aware of the reality of our situation. It’s a shame that couldn’t get back to Dave and some of the people he’s referring to.

"We had calls right through from Wednesday, Thursday, we put something in writing on Thursday and then we spoke to them before anything was released.

"We understand that Rugby Australia are under severe financial pressure. This is an important game for them and we are committed to playing that match. The reality is, under those circumstances, that frustration manifests with what we saw yesterday; a lot of emotion, a lot of frustration, sometimes possibly not all the information, and that’s the result of that."