VIDEO - 'It's a bit gutting': All Blacks hungry for more SA action
SPOTLIGHT: All Black loose forward Ethan Blackadder expressed his disappointment over the realisation that he doesn't get to play against the South African opposition as often as he would like.
The 29-year-old is part of Scott Robertson's All Black squad in South Africa as they prepare for their Rugby Championship Round Four encounter in Cape Town.
Blackadder remembers the last time he was in the city and that was back in 2019 with the Crusaders Super Rugby squad.
A year later, amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the South African Rugby Union announced the withdrawal of their franchises from Super Rugby in favour of playing in Europe.
It meant that players and fans could only get their SA v NZ fix at Test level and now Blackadder savours every opportunity to face the Boks, especially in South Africa.
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"I think everyone misses the South African games and the tours [in Super Rugby]," said the forward.
"It's a bit gutting that it hasn’t continued.
"When we do get opportunities like this, which is rare, you are testing yourself against the world champs and a team that plays physical rugby.
"It's gutting that it is not regular, but it is exciting that we can do it [in the Test arena]."
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Something that has put a smile on Blackadder's face is the news that new long tours are being planned for the Boks and All Blacks.
Last week, @rugby365com revealed that SARU and the New Zealand Rugby are planning a long tour every four years, dubbed ‘The Greatest Rugby Rivalry’.
In the first tour, the All Blacks will face the four United Rugby Championship sides as well as a potential clash against the SA ‘A’ team, including three Test matches.
A fourth Test will be played at a neutral venue, most likely in the Northern Hemisphere.
The first tour is being planned for 2026.
When the idea was mentioned to Blackadder, he had a short response.
"That would be wicked!" he said.
He added: "You don’t often get to play the Springboks [in South Africa].
"It is such a cool place to play rugby.
"As an international player, this is where you want to be and these are the matches you want to be involved in.
"It is very special."
@rugby365com
* Picture credit: Suresh Rajcoomar
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