Opinion: No England-All Blacks fixture leaves rugby a dull game

England player Jonathan Joseph celebrates scoring a try against Scotland in the Six Nations (Getty)
England player Jonathan Joseph celebrates scoring a try against Scotland in the Six Nations (Getty)

OPINION: What a shame the All Blacks won't get to show Eddie Jones and England who's boss until next year.

The reigning World Champions will instead tackle the Barbarians at Twickenham on November 4 in London, rekindling a rivalry that dates back to 1954.

Yes it's a match up with a colourful history, yes it's sure to be a game full of razzle dazzle, but it's got nothing on a heavyweight showdown between the two best sides in the world at the moment. And it doesn't include Eddie Jones.

Whether it's the "Big Bad Wolf" comment about Steve Hansen, or the suggestion South African referee Craig Joubert played a key role in the All Blacks' 2011 World Cup win, the lovable rogue has provided some gems this year, and a storyline to rival anything on Netflix.

While Jones has provided the gags (as well as leading England to a record equalling 18 consecutive test victories), the boardroom politics at England Rugby HQ have been just as compelling.

Such was the desperation to get a game across the line in the north, the RFU reportedly drew the ire of the Barbarians club for threatening to veto the November match in favour of the first England-All Blacks Test since 2014.

With rugby being played what feels like 24 months a year nowadays, there isn't much wiggle room in the All Blacks' hectic 2017 schedule, which already includes a series against the British and Irish Lions.

Then there's the money issue.

With the November 4 date falling outside the international window, England clubs were reportedly after at least half the pie from a All Blacks-England fixture, while NZR were also after more than five million from the contest, leaving little cash in the jar for the RFU.

It's all in the too-hard basket and quite simply not worth the hassle for the bureaucrats in the north, meaning a longer wait for the pre-Test press conference pearlers from Hansen and Jones.

The Aussie joked he was open to playing the All Blacks after their final Six Nations game against Ireland in Dublin, but given what happened in that game, perhaps it's a good thing they didn't show up.

Jeff McTainsh is a Newshub sports reporter.