Chris Ashton On How Ignorant The All Blacks Are Of Northern Hemisphere Rugby
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England international Chris Ashton has revealed the All Blacks are almost completely ignorant of northern hemisphere rugby, after spending a season in Toulon alongside some of their biggest stars.
Ashton played for the French giants during the 2017/18 season, and counted the likes of former All Blacks Malakai Fekitoa and Ma’a Nonu as his teammates.
Fekitoa had know idea what the European Cup was, and had absolutely no knowledge of the English Premiership.
“Speaking to Malakai Fekitoa, he literally didn’t even know what the Premiership was.” Ashton said.
“He didn’t know what the European Cup was, didn’t know anything!”
“I don’t think they played too much attention to it. They obviously have a very good league and maybe our stuff is not shown on telly there.”
New Zealand lock Brodie Retallick also infamously said four years ago he only knew “a couple” of England players before naming Michael Lawes instead of Northampton Saints forward Courtney.