URC coaches slam Beaver’s ‘low-level’ claims

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Franco Smith and John Dobson have rejected former New Zealand flyhalf Stephen Donald’s assertion that the Vodacom URC is significantly inferior to Super Rugby.

Donald sparked controversy on The Breakdown when discussing Jordie Barrett’s sabbatical at Leinster, suggesting the All Blacks star would need to prove himself again before returning to the national team despite his impressive URC form.

“The URC competition is probably a low, a very, very low level compared to Super Rugby,” Donald claimed when discussing Barrett’s selection prospects for the July Tests against France.

Smith, speaking to SuperSport before Glasgow Warriors’ clash with the Vodacom Bulls at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday, delivered a pointed response.

“Look, I’ve been involved with this competition since it was Magners League back in the day, you know, and you must coach or have played in this competition to have any comment around that,” the head coach said. “This is a quality competition.

ICYMI: ‘Jordie must prove himself again’

“I’ve coached Super Rugby before. I’ve played Super Rugby and it is a quality competition over there, but you can’t compare it to it.”

Smith, who guided Glasgow to the URC title last season, emphasised the unique challenges of the competition.

“It’s completely different challenges. The fact that we play in three different, four different countries with the Champions Cup in the middle of it, it makes it a completely different challenge than what it’s used to,” the former Springbok playmaker added.

Dobson was even more direct in his criticism of Donald’s comments when speaking to SportsBoom.com, suggesting that Super Rugby has lost its edge since South African teams departed.

“Super 12 was the best provincial competition ever. But it got diluted. Since the South African teams left Super Rugby, it’s changed,” the Stormers director of rugby said. 

“Super Rugby looks different now and not in a way that reflects what wins World Cups. Breakdown contests, mauls, long scrum sets, that’s real rugby. That’s Test rugby.”

Photo: Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images

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