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The developing nations, in any sport, are the greatest hope for expansion, survival and worldwide popularity.
With the advent of professionalism, there lies one great problem in developing nations, in that players who are often some of the best in the world, at the forefront of the development, are stolen by those developed sporting nations.
It’s time the IRB put a stop to this.
There is a big opinion currently in South Africa over the standing of Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, who is by birth and most legalities, Zimbabwean. There is a protectionist political party calling for his deportation and exile from SARU representation, there have been delayed passport issues restricting him from playing with the Boks. This of course is another story, but it highlights the fact that players, often at the forefront of their countries rugby development, go to other countries because of varying reasons not in the best interest of freedom or politics, but for money.
The Wallabies, New Zealand, South Africa are all guilty and it certainly isn’t isolated to rugby. However, more must be done by the IRB to excite people of top quality from Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and other nations that might be affected, possibly to the point where they are assisted in sponsorship by the IRB.
If such work does not happen, some of these arguably first rate, rugby-centric nations will be relegated to isolated rankings for the rest of their existence, which is not sustainable for the rugby world.
For the growth in rugby – and this will come from the Olympic inclusion – this must be a central issue that is going around the IRB offices, otherwise nothing will stop the road of player poaching and stagnated development.
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.