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When the idea of a Rugby World Cup was mooted, eventually it was the Australasian axis aided by France who had to drag the remaining Northern Hemisphere unions kicking and screaming to the voting table.
South Africa joined the proponents and an Englishman eventually broke the deadlock by changing his mind. The terrible beauty of the RWC was born.
25 years on, despite some commercial successes, the purpose of the tournament as a competitive means of establishing the best team in the world seems to be somewhat flawed.
By common accord, New Zealand have been and remain the number one team in the world. Unfortunately for everyone else, they are likely to be there for the remainder of my and many others’ lifetimes.
Yes, there may be an occasional blip when South Africa or maybe England or Australia might grab the mantle for a few months, but then the All Blacks go out and thrash everyone else with another amazing team and reality is restored.
So New Zealand haven’t done well at a few World Cups, but does it really matter? For every year in between they’re either occupying the No. 1 spot, or occasionally have to put up with second place.
South Africa and Australia make up the rest of this trifecta of greatness as they proudly hold onto slots number two and three on the world bragging tree.
After them, comes “that lot” up north. That lot, which really means England and France, are tolerated from time to time at the SANZAR party (after all they do need a fourth team to make up the semi-finals). Irritatingly, they sometimes manage to win their semi-finals, too.
And even once, the final.
As for the rest, well they’re there to make up the numbers and provide faux opposition to dignify the pool and quarter-final stages, before it gets to the proper business end of the tournament.
Scratch any self-respecting SANZAR fan, and they’ll admit freely that they always expect to be in the semi-finals alongside their SH neighbours with a NH team (England or France) making up the fourth spot. With good reason, the only thing worth debating for an SH fan is the unfairness of the draw that might prevent one of them getting their rightful spot.
Some might argue, wouldn’t it be much simpler if SANZAR, or perhaps the Big Five if they were feeling generous, should just get together quietly in Barbados somewhere and play a match each to decide which of them gets to win the Cup?
The imbalance in playing power amongst the great rugby nations and the rest hasn’t really changed at all in over three decades. And any improvement there has been, is exponentially matched by an even greater increase for the big nations through professionalism, huge salaries, sponsorships, TV deals, and marketing gimmicks.
Twenty-five years from now, the likelihood of another nation outside the Big Five, or more probably, the Southern Three, winning the World Cup is small. The odds are stacked heavily against such an outcome, and will remain so.
Do we really need a World Cup to satisfy the egos of a small number of nations, or would the money be better spent elsewhere?
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.