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We’ve come to the end of the June internationals and one fact has become clear over all others. The gap between rugby playing countries in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres has not become any smaller.
If anything, it’s only increased.
Nine matches took place between countries from Europe and the SANZAR trio of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia and each of the nine were won by a SANZAR nation.
South Africa beat Wales 2-0, and also saw off Scotland, New Zealand beat England 3-0 and Australia beat France 3-0.
While the European countries looked competitive at times, England fought hard in their first two Tests and Wales were denied by a last-minute penalty try in their second Test, the Southern Hemisphere domination continued. This is especially troubling with another World Cup on the horizon.
The Southern Hemisphere dominance is nothing new. It’s been around since the start of the last century and victories by Northern Hemisphere teams have being few and far between.
The European countries have a very poor record in the Southern Hemisphere. None of the Celtic countries have ever won a Test in South Africa, while England have only won three and France six. Their results in their own countries aren’t much better.
Same for New Zealand, with none of the Celts having won a Test there, England having only won five Tests, while France have won six. Both Scotland and Ireland are still looking for their first win against the All Blacks anywhere, and Wales have only beaten New Zealand three times overall, their last victory came in 1953.
Australia is a bit of a different matter, having only gained real rugby prominence since the 1980s. However, the European countries’ record there is just as poor, with England having only won three Tests in Australia, France four, Ireland three, Scotland two and Wales just one.
Even combined the Northern Hemisphere countries have a poor record playing in the South. Though the British and Irish Lions won their most recent Test series, against a depleted Australia, it was their first series win in 16 years, and only their fifth overall, since the 1900s.
Wales (and Lions) captain Sam Warburton, last year talked about his country needing to abolish the “Southern Hemisphere dominance”. That remark could be directed to all European players.
There are some factors that contribute to the lack of victories by European sides. The games this year, like most years, took place at the end of the European rugby season, while the Southern Hemisphere players are only halfway through their season.
Take the Welsh players, for example. Since last September, they would have been playing a match, be it Rabo12, Heineken or international, almost every weekend up until June.
On the other hand, the Southern Hemisphere players would have only being playing matches in the Super Rugby tournament. The Northern Hemisphere players would be more fatigued.
Add to that the travel between the hemispheres and the acclimatising would all contribute to the northern players’ depleted chances of success. That would be all well and good, but the Southern Hemisphere dominance prevails even when the matches take place in Europe.
The World Cup is the clearest indication of the Southern Hemisphere dominance. Of the seven Rugby World Cups so far, a SANZAR nation has accounted for six of the trophies, with each of the countries having won the tournament twice.
England are the lone Northern Hemisphere country to have won a World Cup, back in 2003. Far from the victory ushering in a new era of European dominance, it seems to have been more of an aberration.
hough there has been a Northern Hemisphere nation present in all but one of the World Cup finals (1995 was the exception), it’s either been France or England in the final and most of those finals have been less than competitive.
There’s a question as to why such a disparity exists between the two Hemispheres. Many in Europe believed that, while rugby was meant to be an amateur sport, players in the Southern Hemisphere were semi-professional and had an unfair advantage.
Those same people believed that the advantage would disappear once rugby became an open sport, in 1995. That advantage remains, however, and with all players seemingly on a level playing field, the Southern Hemisphere dominance still exists.
There seems to be something more than skill involved, some kind of mentality possessed by players in the Southern Hemisphere, which alludes those in Europe. Looking at the IRB rankings each finds the SANZAR nations in the first three spots, the only issue up for debate is what order they will place.
Looking at next year’s World Cup, it’s clear that the SANZAR nations are the only real contenders.
As hosts England will want to do well and France always have a chance, but it’s doubtful that any of the Celtic nations will feature. Wales did well to reach the semi-finals in the last tournament in 2011, but Scotland haven’t played in a semi-final since 1991 and Ireland have never played in a World Cup semi-final.
The Lions showed that players in Europe have it in them to achieve success against a Southern Hemisphere nation. It’s just a question of them believing it. A winner’s mentality is the key component for any athlete, and it’s lacking in European players when they face sides from the Southern Hemisphere.
An aura surrounds the Springboks, the All Blacks and the Wallabies that is missing from countries in Europe. Dismantling that aura is half the battle to overcoming these teams. If it remains the European players have already lost before they’ve even taken the field.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.