Saracens star slams World Cup

14 April 2012

Taine Randell has called on rugby's rulers to sort out the international selection shambles that has left the Zurich Premiership a far more competitive place than it has a right to be while a World Cup is being staged.

Randell, the New Zealand captain at the 1999 World Cup but now surplus to All Black requirements, says the International Rugby Board have failed to provide a properly global tournament in Australia because they have not ensured that the smaller nations can field fullstrength squads.

This, he says, is shown up by the number of foreign players taking part in the English domestic competition.

Since signing for Saracens, who play at Leeds Tykes on Sunday, the 28-year old Randell has been saddened to see Trevor Leota of Wasps and Epi Taione of Newcastle, amongst others, still in England when they should be experiencing the World Cup.

"It's different for me and for players like Thomas Castaignede and Simon Raiwalui here at Saracens," said Randell, who captained the All Blacks in 22 of his 51 Tests.

"Thomas and I have not been selected for our countries, and Simon is not playing for Fiji because he has retired from international rugby.

"But guys like Leota and Taione are not in Australia, with Samoa and Tonga, simply because they cannot afford to give up their club salaries and jeopardise their club careers. It is a travesty for Samoan rugby, in particular, that the likes of Leota are not at the World Cup.

"The Samoan team that have been named for the tournament will take a bit of beating - but how good would it be if all their eligible players, both those here and those playing in New Zealand domestic rugby, were available? The IRB have a duty to the game of rugby worldwide to make sure this current situation does not happen again.

"I think this World Cup is going to be the best ever, and it will make a lot of money for the sport. But why is it that only the richest nations can turn up with full-strength sides?

"If rugby wants to be a truly global sport, and if the authorities want the World Cup to be a bigger and better tournament, then they have to act.

"Otherwise, teams like Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and Romania will never be able to give the bigger countries a run for their money." Despite his disappointment at being dropped by New Zealand, Randell is relishing his chance to experience rugby life in the Premiership.

"Virtually every ground I go to is a new one for me and I'm particularly enjoying the partisan support you get at every club here," he added.

"The Premiership is a very physical league, and the standard is very good when you consider that so many top players are away at the World Cup. The pace of the games is perhaps a bit slower than I am used to back in the Super 12, but I'm sure that will change when all the top guys return.

"I've been amazed at the great weather so far, but I'm told it is not always like this! I have settled in very quickly at Saracens and am enjoying life in London.

"It is exciting for me to experience a different country and different styles of rugby and training."

Wasps play at Sale tonight with Phil Greening returning at hooker in place of Leota and Johnny O'Connor is expected to be on the bench after shaking off an ankle injury.

Tomorrow, Harlequins entertain Newcastle at The Stoop and London Irish travel to Northampton.

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