'We have lost our way in rugby'

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen believes the top unions in rugby need to work together to secure the game’s future.

In an interview with WalesOnline, Hansen spoke about the opportunity for rugby to start afresh after the current coronavirus pandemic.

Many unions are in a perilous financial situation because of COVID-19, but Hansen believes the rugby world’s problems cannot be solely attributed to the outbreak.

Hansen has identified “self-interest” amongst the top rugby nations as problem that needs to be addressed in the future.

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He believes that the virus has presented an opportunity for the game to come together and lay out a new blueprint for the coming years.

“We have an opportunity now to start with a blank page because you have got everybody putting self-interest to the side,” he told Wales Online.

“They know they could be gone if they don’t do the right thing.

“So, it’s a great opportunity to bring everybody together, north, south, individual countries and do what it is right for the game. It’s been a long time coming because it’s been needed for quite some time.”

While unions are coming to grips with the situation ahead, there is currently a battle for World Rugby’s top job between incumbent Bill Beaumont and his deputy Agustin Pichot.

“There has been a lot of self-interest and if we don’t do the right thing, we could lose the game and that would be a tragedy,” added Hansen.

“We have lost our way in rugby a little bit and we haven’t been working well enough together.

“Maybe this pandemic has caused a crisis that means we have to. If that’s the case, then that’s one positive to come out of something that’s pretty ordinary.”

Source: WalesOnline & Stuff