SUPER RUGBY LOSING STREAK
Aussie rugby woes fail to stir New Zealand
The Western Force’s abject 55-6 capitulation to the Highlanders, takes Australia’s losing streak to 0-18 against New Zealand opponents
Melbourne — The crisis enveloping Australian Super Rugby has coaches concerned for their players’ mental health and local fans tipping a gloomy international season ahead, but conjured little sympathy from New Zealand. The Western Force’s abject 55-6 capitulation at home to the Highlanders on Saturday took Australia’s losing streak to 0-18 against New Zealand opponents this season and chances to break the drought are fast running out. Meanwhile, the Australian Rugby Union’s (ARU’s) commitment to cut one of the conference’s five teams to reduce costs and raise its competitiveness, remains up in the air, with the Force and Melbourne Rebels threatening to fight for their survival in court. Despite the legal hurdles, players in Australia have demanded that the ARU "rip off the Band-Aid", to allow them to settle in the present and plan their futures, whether to stay in a contracted domestic market or test their worth off-shore. Their frustrations have been shared in New Zealand, where th...
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