French Top 14 Club Competition Superio to Super Rugby Pacific, Says Sean Fitzpatrick
Former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick has made a bold statement, claiming that France’s premier club competition, the Top 14, is superior to Super Rugby Pacific. Fitzpatrick’s remarks serve as a timely warning for the New Zealand national team as they prepare to take on Argentina in their first Rugby Championship test of the year.
The All Blacks will face a Pumas side that is filled with players who earn their salaries with Top 14 clubs in France. The demise of the Jaguares, who dropped out of Super Rugby due to the pandemic, prompted many of Argentina’s test players to seek opportunities in the northern hemisphere, with a significant number now playing in France.
Fitzpatrick, who currently resides in England, believes that the French competition has played a crucial role in enhancing the country’s test team, which recently won the Six Nations and is currently ranked second in the world behind Ireland. He stated, The Top 14 in France is probably the best rugby competition in the world at the moment, purely for the week-in, week-out – they are still playing now.
When asked about the quality of the Top 14 compared to Super Rugby, Fitzpatrick didn’t hold back, highlighting the larger, faster, and stronger players in the French competition. He believes that this enhanced quality transfers into the international game, providing an advantage for French and Argentine players who have honed their skills in the Top 14.
The competitive nature of the Top 14 not only benefits French passport holders but also the numerous foreign players, including a significant number of Argentines who moved north following the Jaguares’ exit from Super Rugby. Pumas coach Michael Cheika has named 19 players from French clubs in his 48-man squad, with many likely to feature in the upcoming test against the All Blacks.
Although flanker Marcos Kremer will be unavailable due to a suspension, players like Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini, and Santiago Grondona, who all have experience in the Top 14, are expected to form part of Argentina’s forward pack. In the backline, the likes of Juan Cruz Mallia, Juan Imhoff, Bautista Delguy, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Tomas Cubelli, and Nicolas Sanchez, also associated with French clubs, could contribute to the team’s performance.
Fitzpatrick’s praise for the Top 14 comes amidst the frustration of New Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia, as they have yet to establish a commission to oversee Super Rugby Pacific.
However, All Blacks coach Ian Foster remains focused on his team’s immediate challenge – securing a victory against Argentina before returning to face the Springboks in Auckland. The goal is to select the right lineup and execute an effective game plan.
Argentina, meanwhile, has spent significant time preparing for the upcoming test, albeit remotely due to logistical challenges. Nevertheless, Pumas coach Michael Cheika expressed satisfaction with the team’s preparations and excitement about the match in Mendoza.
The All Blacks will announce their team selection on Friday morning, and both teams are expected to field experienced and competitive lineups. With the influence of the Top 14 evident in the Pumas squad, it is set to be an intriguing battle between two teams seeking victory.
While Fitzpatrick’s assertion about the merits of the Top 14 may spark debate, it serves as a reminder of the significant contributions French and Argentine players have made to the sport at both club and international levels. As the Rugby Championship continues, fans can expect high-quality and fiercely contested matches.
