Super Rugby
Greg Martin slams SANZAR decisions
ESPN Staff
April 22, 2014
The Brumbies launch their special Anzac Day strip, Canberra, April 17, 2014
Brumbies unveil their Anzac Day strip © Twitter
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Former Wallaby Greg Martin has blasted SANZAR for their latest decisions regarding the Brumbies Anzac day clash with the Chiefs. The Fox Sports commentator dismissed SANZAR's decision to ban the national anthems as ridiculous and said they were hindering rugby in Australia by failing to guarantee the Brumbies a permanent Anzac Day fixture.

Martin told Fairfax Media it's a no-brainer to have a permanent Anzac Day match in Canberra between the Brumbies and a New Zealand team, but Super Rugby controlling body SANZAR believes scheduling is too complicated to guarantee it happens every season.

"[SANZAR are] not helping. They're trying to stick to these stringent policies and I understand that the draw for Super Rugby is harder because of all the travel, but why can't you start at a couple of points," Martin said. "Why wouldn't you say to the Brumbies every year you get your game against New Zealand on Anzac Day, it's brilliant.

"The War Memorial's in Canberra and people recognise Canberra is the home of everything connected to that side of things. They're not trying to help, they're trying to hinder. I don't know what they're trying to achieve."

Martin was also scathing of SANZAR's justification that they couldn't grant an exemption for the national anthems on Anzac Day in case everyone else wanted to do it.

"The two [games between Aussie and Kiwi teams] on Friday should both have the national anthems, that's just ridiculous," Martin said. "It's unbelievable, it adds just that little bit more on Anzac Day. A lot of people would've been honouring their grandfathers and all the old Diggers and it's just another moment of that, it's incredible.

"You can't just say the national anthem's only for Test matches, why can't it be for a particular day that's really significant to Australia and New Zealand?"

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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