All Blacks: the myths and realities of ‘player power’

'Player power' is a term that's cropped up in the wake of the sacking of All Blacks coach Scott Robertson last week - but exactly how much of a role did it play and is it anything new? That depends a bit on your definition of player power, and how you believe in emotional and often contradictory factors. Players having their say is not new, not confined to the All Blacks and certainly not to rugby. Indeed, NZ Rugby's handling of the Robertson affair has garnered at least some praise for being swift, unlike Netball NZ's saga over Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua. While both have yet to completely play out - Robertson will presumably give his side of the story at some point - NZR is...