The iRB have been very pro-active in their attempts to expand our game to new areas throughout the world and this has mostly been done through the iRB World Sevens Series.
What they eventually should want to happen from this though is for new countries to come into the 15-man game.
So, what ways should the iRB look at promoting the full game, while using the 7s as a vanguard?
I think a ‘Faces of Rugby’ campaign would be a good idea.
Use 15 players from around the world in an extensive campaign, showcasing all types of players, big and small that excel in the game.
So who would you choose for your 15?
You may only select at most two players from any one country. And remember, these will be the ambassadors for our game.
My choices would be:
Pierre Spies
I will admit straight off, he is not my favourite player and think others deserve the number 8 jersey ahead of him. However, due to his freakish athletic abilities, he is easily marketable in markets like the USA, where they are transfixed by size.
Tendai “Beast” Mtwarira
The South African shows off the front row union, but with his abnormal speed and athleticism for a prop forward, he has gained great popularity in the Republic and that can translate worldwide.
James O’Connor
The impish Aussie back, shows that size does not matter.
Sonny Bill Williams
I know some have their qualms with him, but he is one of, if not the most marketable player in the game.
Dan Carter
Next to McCaw, probably the world’s best player. As an Irish journalist famously said “He’s so cool, he pisses ice.”
Felipe Contepomi
Market him as the layer who transfers over from the amateur era. Qualified as a doctor during his career. A maverick in the game as well.
Sergio Parisse
The gladiator in Italian rugby from the home of gladiators.
Thierry Dusautoir
The ultra hard-working French flanker and captain can be a poster-boy for many of the African immigrants in Europe.
Maxime Médard
The man with the worst facial hair in the game. What should be promoted for though is him being the epitome of French flair and reckless abandon.
Chris Ashton
The new poster-boy of English rugby with his swan-dive-try celebration. Ableit from a League background, shows players from the North can flourish in Union.
Paul O’Connell
The ginger-topped giant is one the most inspirational leaders in the game, putting his heart and soul into every game.
Adam Jones
The hair-bear of Welsh rugby. Instantly recognisable and shows that not all rugby players have to be freakish athletes. Real character as well whose honesty and humour go down well.
Richie Gray
The big blonde mop of the Scotland’s new bean pole in the second row is conspicuous all around the rugby field.
Takudzwa Ngwenya
‘Z’ is the winger who lit up the group stages of the last World Cup by burning the then-top winger in the World Brian Habana on the outside. Has excelled with Biarritz in the mean with his electrifying pace.
Alesana Tuilagi
An islander presence from the famous Tuilagi family, which has already produced six pro rugby players and four internationals.
So who would you pick?
Hendogo
Guest
@ Sharminator: I think the IRB should pay for advertising it's there job to promote rugby around the world. That the problem right now with rugby it's base to much on inddividual counteries. It should be a combined effort(one team) to support a sport that is just now getting serious. Now to the list, I think there is a lot of bias here on here from the rugby super powers. I see a lot of these list with just players from the super powers of rugby. If you want to make a campain include players from all over the world not just from 9 counteries.
sharminator
Guest
A bit confused about what the idea is ... that the IRB pay for advertising all over world to promote rugby? Its not really something that the IRB do. It is left to individual countries to promote rugby in their own country. The IRB does provide development grants ... to have coaching clinics, implement high performance systems, and new competitions, but they dont really get involved in advertising of the game
Invictus
Guest
TPN - need to put that hair to use before Parra manage a win in the Shute Shield....
Ben S
Roar Guru
It would be fair to say that I have an equal amount of 'Coronation Street' nightmares too, Moaman. I'm not even going to mention 'Eastenders'...
Moaman
Guest
Ben! Wondered where you have been! A little older than you,perhaps,I grew to the dulcit tones of 'ilda 'ogden & co ;-)
Ben S
Roar Guru
1. Rodrigo Roncero (Stade Francais/Argentina, current)
Ben S
Roar Guru
'The English are the 2nd biggest butchers of the English language behind rap stars.' Having grown up during the glory years of 'Neighbours' and 'Home and Away' that is one statement I would have to strongly disagree with. In fact, I still have nightmares involving Alf Stewart constantly repeating the corrupted word 'arvo'. There is a reason that Pacific names are pronounced the way that they are despite their spelling. It has something to do with a lack of letters on a printing press, or something similar... I'll try and dig out the story.
shahsan
Guest
Contempomi, by the way, is not just a doctor - he is a surgeon, the latest in a long line of medico rugby players, and to be joined soon by Wales' Jamie Roberts.. Someone could name a full XV of doctors; here are some for starters (some slightly out of position). 15 JPR Williams (Wales, 1970s) 14 Jon Webb (England, 1980s/90s) 13 Jamie Roberts (Wales, current) 12 Felipe Contempomi (Argenitina, current) 11 Dave Irwin (Ireland, Lions 1980s) 10 Jack Kyle (Ireland 1950s) 9. David Kirk (ABs, 1980s) 8. Lawrie Knight (ABs, 1970s) or Mark Loane (Wallabies, 70s) 7 John O'Driscoll (Ireland/British Lions 1980s) 6 Brett Robinson (Brumbies/Wallabies, 1990s) or John Roe (Wallabies, 2000s) 5 Weary Dunlop (Wallabies, 1930s) 4 Bill Campbell (Wallabies, 1980s) 3. Jannie Du Plessis (Sharks, current) 2 Uli Schmidt (South Africa, 1980s/90s) 1 All i'm missing is a loose-head prop. Now that would make a good 'Faces of Rugby' of the past 80 years
shahsan
Guest
Good choices, CizzyRascal. Would also add Quade Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Digby Ioane or Tutofu Pulota Nau from Australia; Richie McCaw from NZ; Victor Matfield from SA, Brian O'Driscoll from Ireland; Courtney Lawes from England -- all good rugby players, and marketable, and likable
katzilla
Roar Guru
I'll ave wot your avin guv. Po-ent stuff for weal.
Antony
Guest
Piri Weepu would be good (or Hosea Gear, Liam Messam etc.). If the IRB got enough footage out there of maoris going hell for leather in the haka, they'd be bound to steal a couple of fans off the UFC or something.
Roger Rational
Guest
Sure, bro.
katzilla
Roar Guru
The English are the 2nd biggest butchers of the English language behind rap stars.
Moaman
Guest
;-) R C ;-) Takes a while to get your..er. head around but some of the Island Nations have a silent 'n' in their languages among other 'quirks'. For example,the great NZ winger of samoan extraction in the '90s--Vainga Tuigamala's surname was pronounced Too ing ga ma la....Joe Rococoko - fijian extraction- surname pronounced Roco tho co,Rupeni Caucaunibuca--Thau Thau in boo tha ,Lote Tuqiri (Low tay Tunn gerr ee ). I'm afraid you english,generally,have made an awful mess of pronouncing just about every language in your once-great empire plus some others as well.By and large you exported those habits to the colonies where we gleeful and oblivious( in the main ) adopted them and went on to butcher foreign words too. Since the 70s in New Zealand at least,a small effort has been made to pronouce at least some of our indigenous words properly....National Radio here make a good effort,but we continue to hack into the European and asian tongues.
RC97
Guest
Tuilangi and medrad I'm English living in England so I've been watching the heineken,premiership and six nations. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
CizzyRascal
Roar Guru
Nope, it's Tuilagi and Médard.
Jagman
Guest
Sebastian Chabal would have to be one of the most marketable players. I'm not very familiar with French rugby but I could never forget that guys face.
kovana
Guest
Would also add Humphey Kayenge from the Kenyan team there. Very marketable to the African Nations. Also dont forget Daisuke Ohata - World Record Holder for MOST TEST TRIES is a japanese man.
RC97
Guest
The likes of cipriani,foden and Henson should be included due to who they have or our dating(celebrity girlfriends) and it's tuilangi and medrad. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.