Resting ABs 'bad for game'

New South Wales Waratahs rugby coach Ewen McKenzie says New Zealand's decision to rest 22 of their best players from the early stages of next year's Super 14 competition is bad for the game.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Chris Moller said at the weekend that the top All Blacks would be rested during the first seven rounds of the Super 14 in a bid to have them fresh for the World Cup in France in September.

McKenzie said that decision would hurt the credibility of the Super 14 and stressed that he did not want to see Australian clubs adopt a similar tactic.

"I don't see how it's going to enhance the Super 14," he said.

"It would be very easy to put all your eggs in the World Cup basket and actually destroy your other brands along the way.

"And if you don't have success along the way, then where do you sit?"

- NZPA