Tony Johnson takes a look at the different strategies used to manage the playing time of the All Blacks and Springboks on Supersport.
"In New Zealand we have I noted with interest the decision by SARU to withdraw its contracted players from the Currie Cup.
"There has been a similar, if not quite so far reaching decision here in New Zealand by the All Black selectors. 11 core members of the side are expected to sit out the rest of the ITM Cup, with other members restricted to a small number of appearances.
"Some, like Dan Carter, will be asked to play just one game to gauge their fitness ahead of the end of year tour after coming off injuries. Rather than be taken out en masse, as is the case in SA, they have been treated on an individual basis, but the effect is similar. It must be frustrating for fans and provincial coaches, but surely player welfare has to be the overriding factor.
"As I noted during the Tri-Nations it looked to me as if some of the key Springboks were looking jaded. It’s hardly surprising given the amount of playing time the likes of Victor Matfield and Bryan Habana have had."
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