Let’s create a William Web Ellis award

 

15 Have your say

William Webb Ellis, rightly or wrongly, is the name associated with the beginnings of rugby union. In the town of Rugby, England in 1823, Webb Ellis, “who with a fine disregard for the rules” began to run with the ball in hand at Rugby School, thus gave the world the game we all love today.

All things considered, I’ve a belief that if William Webb Ellis was around today, he’d pick my team (the Springboks) as the team of the last 200 years. But to be fair, I’d like to propose that the matter be more ‘scientifically’ adjudicated and more professionally promoted.

Up for grabs is the title of the “William Webb Ellis Team – the best team over 200 years.” I imagine there would be a number of categories, such as team spirit, fair play, victories, diplomacy and others, to accommodate everyone.

2009 is flying by, so there are just thirteen years to build up to William Webb Ellis-Day. And this is what I propose:

1. An effort be made to run with and promote the 2023 concept
2. A countdown beginning now
3. A proper and thorough archive of rugby history
4. An impartial ‘interviewing’ crew to document anecdotal and other rugby history for broadcast building up to 2023.
5. Fair terms of adjudication to be agreed upon, especially taking into account the spirit of William Webb Ellis and his “fine disregard for the rules.”
6. Worldwide legends, old boys, classic and retro festival rugby as a countdown feature.
7. A badge for each award on the rugby jersey which can subsequently be reviewed annually.
8. Golden Oldies world tours.
9. A 2023 website with all the relevant data and polls.
10. A 2023 ‘long bets’ opportunity (perhaps for a charity)
11. Specific rugby tourist routes or even globetrotter packages.

Just off the top of my head I can think of plenty of great idea’s and I hope that somebody will pick up on this soon.

With South Africa in with an excellent ‘home stretch’ to 2023, and the possibility of hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2023, I’d prefer the appearance of impartiality.

My pick? South Africa – Best Team, William Webb Ellis Team, and Most Rugby World Cups (4).

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