Stretching rugby’s professional frontiers

 
Working Class Rugger Roar Guru

By Working Class Rugger, 16 Apr 2010 Working Class Rugger is a Roar Guru

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As the 2010 Asian Five Nations kicks off in Singapore this weekend, with Sri Lanka comfortably accounting for Chinese Taipei 57–7 and hosts Singapore edging their much improved northern neighbours Malaysia 22-20, I can’t help but think of an article I read last week.

The article posed the question as to whether the IRB should deliberately move toward growing rugby’s influence in Europe through establishing more Professional Leagues on the continent.

Certainly an opportunistic article, but I have to say it did have me thinking.

With the recent momentum international rugby has been experiencing, most notably the games’ re-admission into the Olympics, perhaps this is the perfect opportunity for rugby to really push forward onto the world stage.

So the main point of this piece is to ask a simple question.

Where?

Where should the IRB invest in bringing at the very least new competitive league structures in order to further increase rugby’s global footprint?

Here are my thoughts.

Europe:
Romania and Georgia – individually the prospects of any professional structures seem unlikely. However, a combined league could possibly be worth a look in.

Considering both nations have already committed to the Eastern Super 8’s concept, both seem willing.

Germany – Yes, they did produce a pretty poor showing in the recent European Nations (Six Nations B) when competing against the likes of Russia, Georgia, Romania, Spain and Portugal.

But considering the developments occurring in German Rugby, the potential is certainly there.

Late last year, the DRV (German Union) introduced a league restructure alongside its Bundesliga expansion to 10 teams.

From the 2010/2011 season, a new reserve league to be known as the Talentliga will form a new level of German Rugby.

Alongside with the work the WILD Rugby Academy are doing with 5 High Performance Units and the mandatory quota of at least 10 German qualified playing per Bundesliga team the move toward not only greater depth, but high quality players particularly at the U18’s level.

Belgium – Quite simply, a nation on the rise. Very strong results at the last two FIRA U18 Euro Championships.

I would have mentioned Russia, but their league is well established with rumours that the Kazak National team will be competing in the RPRL from as soon as the 2011 season.

Both Moldova and Lithuania have been approached, but declined due to cost issues.

Ukraine just started the inaugural season of the new Professional League and Spain/Portugal will be entering the second season of the SIR in August.

One of two new teams has been announced in the form the Gibraltar Rock.

There are several other groups interested in the eighth licence.

Africa:
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania – Interesting choice.

The Bamburi Cup has been contested between these three for several seasons now. Two of these nations are experiencing an explosion in participation and popularity of the game.

With IRB investment could take this competition to a whole new level. Zimbabwe would also be a good addition to such a Championship. However, at least personally, any such involvement would be a validation of the Mugabe regime.

The Americas:
North America – very interesting times for the North American game.

NBC will this June broadcast the first ever College 7s event and an organically grown movement toward establishing a College Premier League seems increasingly likely.

The opportunity to establish a Championship loosely along the lines of the Lacrosse League.

Considering the restructure of the College game, an increased quality of athlete is beginning to be produced from that level.

South America – The obvious. Argentina.

Would like to see the Super 8 concept resurrected. Considering it’s likely move toward competing in the expanded Tri-Nations come 2012, such as move to build another possible Super Rugby conference in South America would allow Argentine players to stay at home and ply their trade as well as competing against their Tri Nation rivals on a regular basis.

Would also add in a team from Chile and Uruguay. Both have a great deal of potential.

In the future, with development in Brazil, they could be worth a look.

Asia – Two real options here. The first being the Prosperity Premiership.

Currently the top line Rugby Championship in the Middle East, with teams competing from Dubai, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Riyadh.

Considering the numbers of expats and the continuing sponsorship in the game by the Emiratis’ via their airline’s Emirates and Ethiad there, does a possibility exist?

Okay, this one is even more far-fetched than any of the previous.

An Asian Super Rugby tournament. Off participation alone, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sri Lanka and India could all field at least one team.

In a rough breakdown Malaysia- 2, Singapore -1, Hong Kong -2, Thailand – 1, Sri Lanka – 1 and with a growth rate of roughly a new club a week India – 1.

On a selfish point of view, I would like to see the Darwin Mozzies and possibly the Blackfalcons compete.

These are all far-fetched, but if the IRB are serious about growing Rugby as a viable international sport, they must look at growing the game in as many places as possible.

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