There have been some interesting articles of late regarding the future of world rugby in terms of rankings or using existing championships as vessels to elevate new nations above their current standing.
They’ve indulged the imagination and stimulated the thought processes, but are ultimately very open ended and a little fanciful.
The one thing they do highlight is the need for higher quality competition in the development of rugby in ‘minnow’ nations.
Both the US and Canada put up respectable displays against Scotland and Japan this month. Using rosters largely comprising domestic-based amateurs, both competed stoically against two nations who draw from playing pools that compete in professional structures. Or, at the very least, structures well above anything the North American unions can offer domestically.
Last month, the amateur German national team came within minutes of rolling an entirely professional Russian Bears outfit – an impressive achievement for a union freshly promoted to the ENC1A level.
In the past season of the Vodacom Cup, the Kenyan Rugby Union entered a team in preparation for the Africa Cup and Rugby World Cup qualifying series in Madagascar.
If you spend only a nominal period of time you can quickly identify a number of nations with the potential to elevate the game of rugby on the international scene to a new level of competitiveness well beyond it current state. The only thing holding them back is the level of competition in which they have access to.
This is the key to the development of rugby over the next 10 to 15 years and it’s something the IRB needs to seriously consider in its strategies post 2015.
I’m a proponent of the regional/provincial rugby model. It’s the most workable and efficient model to bring higher quality competition to the greatest possible number of nations in the shortest timeframe.
Let’s use the US as an example.
The model often staunchly defended by a few is a disjointed club system. It spreads the talent far and wide. The best competition is undoubtedly the Pacific Rugby Premiership that launched this year, but even for all its progress, it is very limited in its ability to progress the game.
Last month, as a qualifier for the World Club Sevens, the USAR held the very successful Elite 7s event in Houston. The major difference between this event and the traditional set ups was it was a truly representative model, which many agree produced the best quality sevens competition in a long, long time. The squads represented 12 city centralised cities.
It’s a model they should be looking to emulate in the very near future in the 15-man game. It doesn’t necessarily need to be 12 squads, but it is necessary. It doesn’t even need to be professional from the first season. Cost neutrality should be the goal.
It’s the model the IRB and regional administrative unions should be looking to push to elevate the general level of competition at the level below the international arena.
By approaching on a region-by-region basis they could create a number of strong leagues that focus on providing greater levels of competition, opportunities to grow the game via developing interest within local unions commercially, provide players with greater skills and fitness which will directly feed upward into their respective national teams.
For rugby to seriously advance at a rate that will elevate to higher levels of exposure and participation, it needs to ensure there are a number of quality regional competitions feeding the international game. They don’t need to be professional from day one. But they are needed.
In time they can evolve further to leagues of note, but for the sake of rugby we cannot rely on a handful of nations to provide all the elite playing opportunities below international rugby.
Higgik
Guest
It doesn't have to be actual provinces. The USA have geographical unions that take in more than one state and are based upon population of players. Their current unions are Union - city sevens team Pacific Northwest - Seattle Northern California - San Francisco Southern California - San Diego New England - Boston Texas - Dallas, Houston Eastern Penn - Philadelphia Capital - Washington Empire - New York Some do not have city sevens teams Union - States True south - Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee Carolinas - north and South Carolina Florida - Florida Mid America - Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Arkansas, Oklahoma, And some city teams do not yet have a GU. Chicago - part of previous mid west union, before rearrangement. Ohio - also part of mid west region Denver and Salt Lake City would be part of Western rugby union I think there is a great opportunity for these 12/13 regions to combine into one competition with the Canadian regions again to play a similar system to super rugby.
Nobrain
Guest
I totally agreed. You would not say that soccer if big in USA, however 26 myn people watch the game against Germany in WC last week. That is not market that can be ignored.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
That's the point, this should now be taken up by the SH Unions who have a stable platform and opportunity to think of the bigger picture. Best example, the Pumas. Not just Marquee players, makes sense to me anyway. Maybe the next Contemponi et. al. will do a two tear stint with Canterbury... All Super franchises should be in the mix imho.
Bakkies
Guest
They aren't getting opportunities though in Super Rugby and there is little to no pro clubs at home. Pichot, Contepomi, Corletto, Fernandez Lobbe, Albacete didn't receive offers from Super Rugby teams when they were younger so good on the European teams for developing them as professionals week in, week out which made them in to being proven internationals. Don't see many Super Rugby teams trying to sign players like Gorgodze, Matera, Bardy, Ayerza.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
But, I suspect, not with a view to assist promoting the player's home union but more likely just getting cannon fodder (as it were) which is the unhelpful intent. Identifying, promoting 'minnow' players whose promise needs time with a more professional environment to flourish when that would not happen within their existing structures. Giving them opportunities within the pro franchises can only help the bigger picture.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Ideally we need to go to FTA like the A League which is on Foxtel and SBS. We need FTA for Super Rugby where it will be available to more viewers and sponsors.
Bakkies
Guest
The all round skills will help their football coaches. They will get players who are versatile position wise. Rugby helps the tackler in getting the carrier to ground and dealing with awkward changes of direction. In terms of Gaelic Football here tackling has becoming non existent so Rugby toughens kids up up and they have better discipline. Now you get kids who prefer to play Rugby and it has become more inclusive. GAA in regards to kids is a bit like Gridiron with kids spending a lot of time on the pine.
Lion Down Under
Guest
Very good points Bakkies, both about enabling youngsters to play more than one sport and how YouTube (and other similar sites) can spread rugby to non-traditional areas. Here's a good example from the US entitled "Rugby in the spring helps football players in the fall": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha57sEivh8k
Bakkies
Guest
That's why they can't be ignored. Some say they are underachieving in terms of participation considering the size of the population. Rugby has a relationship with NBC so games do make it in on to the big networks which is great for exposure. Youtube shouldn't be underestimated either a lot of clips are commented on by Americans that's important as they don't get regular Rugby coverage. It annoys me when short sighted networks pull them down. You could say that Fox in Australia should use it as a way to get people to subscribe. A lot of Rugby is televised during unsociable hours in Aus and the US so Youtube is a tool for viewers to catch up on games.
Bakkies
Guest
Rugby is also getting in to the NCAA which is massive for the sport. The biggest challenge is getting kids in to the sport earlier. Somehow find a way where kids can combine Rugby with playing other sports. That's how it is managed in Ireland. You still get problems of course but if there are more clashes kids will have to stop playing a sport at an earlier age. Rugby could be seen as a sport that will improve their Gridiron. Playing without pads will improve their tackling technique, no blocking on tacklers makes them work harder on evasiveness, play what's in front of you rather than set plays and you have to do everything in Rugby. That's how sensible Gaelic Football coaches think so they enable their kids to play Rugby and it doesn't alienate them. On top of that if Gridiron doesn't work for them (which is the case for players who don't get in to the colleges) they can go back to Rugby this time with knowledge of the game.
rebull
Guest
According to Wikipedia, that fount of all knowledge, Argentina are 9th on the list of total registered players (102,790), while Australia are 4th with 297,389. Argentina numbers are not broken down further but Australia has 57,766 senior males. Interestingly, it claims the USA are 3rd on the list of U13 boys participation in Rugby with 178,819 players, behind South Africa (320,842) and England (694,899). This compares to Australia with 151,036 U13 boys players. USA also have the largest number of clubs.
Johnno
Guest
I wonder if rugby is bigger in Argentina or Australia. Or are they on the same pegging on the food chain in popularity. Basketball in Argentina is an interesting one. I usually associate basketball as an upper class sport outside of the US/Europe and Australia. But Argentina/Brazil have both been strong. Rugby is an upper class sport in Argie, but im told it's now becoming more working class. South Africa maybe now the poor or working class play rugby. Probably about the same footing rugby has in Argentina and Australia.
Owen McCaffrey
Roar Guru
I disagree that there is no place for Rugby in the USA. There are alot of strong men who like to play football but how many teams in the NFL? There are not as many leagues for people who have graduated college and failed to get into the NFL as people might think. This is exactly where rugby is aiming. 300million people and the NFL has only like 16 teams or 32 teams. Nowhere near enough. College Football only caters to 20-24 year olds.
Johnno
Guest
A few French of Georgian heritage, may play.
Tigranes
Guest
The IRB should focus on encouraging participation in countries which have already shown an appetite for the game It's means the likes of Madagascar, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Moldova, Kenya, Romania. These are all poor countries I don't think the US will ever get rugby, unlike most countries, they have a sport which targets the same type of athletes anyway, meaning rugby will ever get the choice of the bes athletes.
Bakkies
Guest
In Europe the French are easily the most nationalistic and protective of their culture (particularly their languages and produce such as wine) yet they are the most open and inclusive when it comes to Rugby.
Bakkies
Guest
The Buenos Aires union is a problem child for the Argies like the NSWRU is in Aus. They have been accused of being UAR favourites in the past. Maybe it's changing BA haven't even hosted a 4 Nations match yet. Further to add the problem with Super Rugby in Aus is that having teams that are struggling to make profits it affects community Rugby despite the attempts to split community and pro Rugby. The Waratahs who represent NSW Rugby have to pay a licence fee to the NSWRU. Both are broke and run by incompetents. The tahs are their rep side and they have to pay for it. The Brumbies pay 1 million out to community rugby which is a lot considering the team isn't profitable and has got reduced ARU funding. The Force and Brumbies both had to think outside the box after losing loyal major sponsors (Emirates and CA).
Bakkies
Guest
You would think apply to Pro D2 with clubs like Biarritz, Narbonne, Perpignan and Agen aiming to go up.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Argentina is a football mad nation with a substantial number of ppl who also like rugby.
Bakkies
Guest
Owen you need to get your facts straight. The Brumbies have run successive losses and had to make an asset sale to ensure long term survival, NSW Rugby is broke with the Waratahs up for tender for new owners, Force are getting back on track with no major sponsor. So in reality Aus Super Rugby is broke with the Reds the only strong performers off the field (and they have been bailed out in the past ).