Stormers director of rugby John Dobson has rubbished the remarks of Stephen Donald, who claimed the United Rugby Championship (URC) is a ‘very, very low’ level compared to Super Rugby Pacific.
Donald’s comments came as he discussed the performances of Jordie Barrett in Leinster colours, with the All Blacks star enjoying a fine stint in the Northern Hemisphere with Irish outfit Leinster.
Stephen Donald: ‘URC is a very, very low level’
Barrett has been in stunning form for Leo Cullen’s side, but the former All Blacks fly-half still believes that he will need to prove himself again ahead of the international season.
“The URC competition is probably a low, a very, very low level compared to Super Rugby, the Champions Cup stuff certainly would be [of the same level],” he said on The Breakdown.
Donald’s comments have sparked outrage and coaches have been asked to provide their input with URC-winning Glasgow and former Cheetahs boss Franco Smith stating that one cannot compare the two competitions.
Smith believes that one has to have played in both tournaments to provide a fair comparison, something that Donald did not do as he spent his career playing for the Chiefs and had stints in England and Japan.
Franco Smith’s blunt response to Stephen Donald’s criticism of the United Rugby Championship
Dobson slams remarks
Meanwhile, Stormers boss Dobson slammed the former fly-half’s remarks, strongly defending the quality of the URC, pointing to the results at the World Cup as an indicator.
“Super 12 was the best provincial competition ever. But it got diluted. Since the South African teams left Super Rugby, it’s changed,” Dobson told SportsBoom.com.
“Super Rugby looks different now and not in a way that reflects what wins World Cups.”
He added: “Breakdown contests, mauls, long scrum sets, that’s real rugby. That’s test rugby.”
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Donald’s assertion that Barrett will need to prove himself for the All Blacks again was a take that caught Dobson by surprise.
“Would I pick him in the squad? Yes, of course, he’s the vice-captain remember. Would I start him? Not necessarily, and nothing to do with his form, but more of a reward for the boys who have been in Super Rugby and played well all year,” the 2011 World Cup winner said.
“So Jordie yes, select him straight away, would I start him straight away in Test one against France? Possibly not.”
Responding to Donald’s opinion, Dobson said: “Wow! I couldn’t disagree more. URC is test-match rugby.
“If Jordie Barrett doesn’t make the All Blacks, would he make the Ireland team? Probably, I am not sure.”
The Stormers coach add that he would wager in favour of the URC teams beating the best Super Rugby has to offer.
“Would the Crusaders beat Leinster? I’d love to see it, but I’d bet on Leinster. Same for the Bulls vs the Waratahs. Bulls it is.”
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/world-cup-wins-reflects-urcs-state-as-stormers-boss-hits-out-at-ex-all-blacks-very-very-low-level-remarks
