CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT

Just when you thought she couldn’t even be any more compassionate and kindhearted than she already is, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Adern has today announced plans to help developing countries feel like they are playing remotely competitive rugby union.

This comes as The Wallabies camp suffer a cruel injury blow with Reece Hodge ruled out of the spring tour after fracturing an ankle.

Coach Michael Cheika revealed the setback after the Wallabies arrived in Japan on Sunday ahead of Saturday’s third Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks in Yokohama.

However, the playing field looks like it may be levelled this weekend, both metaphorically and almost literally, as the New Zealand Prime Minister has called for the coaches of her country’s team to blindfold half their players.

“I just thenk ut’d bi a but maw feer” said the Prime Minister, in a desperate plea for All Blacks players and fans to show some compassion for the so-far winless Australian Wallabies in this year’s Bledisloe Cup series.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has said he’ll consider it, or possible he’ll just send out the under 20s, but did ask for a pay rise for his players – as the most winningest professional sporting team in the history of organised sport.