Becky Grey of the BBC reports that the Red Roses are flying direct to New Zealand by economy class, since the RFU regrets they are loss-making.
It is curious that the first time the players have had to pay for their inability to make a profit is precisely when they are on their way to their greatest test, a World Cup tournament most people expect them to win.
Money-saving has not been on view in the locations selected for their training sessions; amongst others, The Lensbury, Teddington, Pennyhill Park, Bagshot and St. George’s Park, Burton-upon- Trent, home base of the FA. We can only guess how much the FA charged the RFU for that privilege, when we consider how unwilling the RFU has been to allow football to be played at HQ. The other two residences must have cost a pretty penny.
No expense has been spared in providing the fullest and ablest back-up staff available, with all their accompanying equipment.
Then there are the other add-ons that some spectators might find indispensable these days, such as fire, smoke and rockets at various intervals during a test match. Even a soloist is required to render the National Anthem, in case people don’t know the words. How much have these extras cost, and precisely how indispensable were they?
Evidently more so than the comfort of the 32 players who finally made it to the final stage of the selection process. So they are condemned to a flight of some 29 hours in conditions that few of us would be happy to accept.
Then comes an additional problem: British Airways, which has a special arrangement with the RFU, does not offer a direct flight to NZ, so another carrier had to step in. But we mustn’t be told its identity, of course. How many contractual details would be flouted if we were? And the players are instructed not to comment on their flight.
How different from their post-match hours of signings and selfies to bring their audiences closer to them.
‘We have to make challenging decisions around what we can invest in’. (RFU)
You may well be able to suggest other not totally necessary additions to past home test matches beyond the flames and smoke. If Pennyhill Park could be afforded for lengthy periods, why not bring up the ‘loss-making’ excuse till now? The money saved by not using that luxury base might have been spent more wisely elsewhere.
Comparisons
Wales have regretfully come to the same conclusion, the players will travel economy class. The one difference is that the WRU’s Performance Director, Nigel Walker, has as usual offered up a reasoned excuse and an apology. He is aware of the discrepancies in the treatment of the men’s and women’s teams, but is striving to close the gap.
Every Cloud
At least the Red Roses, like every other player taking part, should be able to relax in the comfort of a 4-star hotel in Auckland, for such was the promise made by NZR as they put in their bid to host the ninth World Cup.
