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It is nearing the end of the second week of the 2011 version of the Rugby World Cup,and I can’t help but think about the nations that miss out on quarter-final berths.
Watching Italy and Russia in a keen and willing contest was proof that we need to keep these sides in this tournament for as long as we can.
Further proof was borne out in a much-anticipated match between Tonga and Japan, two sides who have no history of going further than pool play.
Expanding the tournament and keeping these sides here longer will be a huge income-earner for the IRB and that in itself should sell to them, as really, ”it’s all about the money.”
Venues could be used more, such as those in Nelson, Napier and New Plymouth. With the semi-finals and final of the main tournament being staged exclusively in Auckland, the Caketin in Wellington and the lavish new indoor stadium in Dunedin could get some much needed use also.
And lets face it, four years in the planning, four years of trials, training and tribulations should account for a bit more than four weeks and four games in New Zealand for those sides who fail to qualify for the big prize.
So how do we do this?
Quite simple really. We adopt a ‘second tier’ playoff system, similar to what we see on the International 7s circuit, where those sides who do not make the championship playoffs, move in to a Plate and Bowl series.
Assuming we take the same playoff series as the Championship, we would have the pools as following:
Pool A:
New Zealand (1), France (2), Canada (3), Japan (4), Tonga (5)
Pool B:
England (1), Argentina (2), Scotland (3), Romania (4), Georgia (5)
Pool C:
Ireland (1), Australia (2), Italy (3), USA (4), Russia (5)
Pool D:
South Africa (1), Wales (2), Samoa (3), Fiji (4), Namibia (5)
Plate Championship quarter-finals
3rd Pool A v 4th Pool B, i.e. Canada v Romania at Nelson
4th Pool A v 3rd Pool B, i.e. Japan vs Scotland at New Plymouth
3rd Pool C v 4th Pool D, i.e. Italy v Fiji in Napier
4th Pool C v 3rd Pool D. i.e. USA v Samoa at Hamilton
Bowl Championship semi-finals
5th Pool A v 5th Pool B, i.e Tonga v Georgia at Whangarei
5th Pool C v 5th Pool D, i.e. Russia v Namibia at Pukekohe
Plate Championship semi-finals
Canada v Scotland at Dunedin
Italy v Samoa at Dunedin
Bowl Final
Tonga v Russia in Dunedin
Plate Final on Saturday, October 22
Scotland v Samoa at Wellington
I believe these games would hold huge interest to all concerned and there would be no problem selling tickets. Overseas supporters would stay here longer and spend more dollars while supporting ‘their’ team.
And more importantly, it gives some real emphasis to every game in this World Cup.
Tonight’s game, for example, between Tonga and Japan could mean the difference between a Plate or a Bowl berth for each side.
It is certainly something worth looking at and I fail to see any negatives behind it. Lets hope the IRB can see the potential and run with it.
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.