With the 2019 Rugby World Cup fast approaching, plans for following international calendars are emerging, with World Rugby pitching a 12-team ‘league of nations’ tournament.
In a tournament which would pit the top 12 international sides alongside each other during November of each year, the aim would be to increase the importance of every Test match.
It’s likely the new tournament would be based on world rugby rankings if given the green light, with the host nation alternating between the Southern and Northern Hemisphere each year. It’s unclear, however, if the tournament would be put on hold during World Cup years or simply moved to accommodate rugby’s showpiece.
The 12 nations at the tournament would be split into three pools for the competition, with a round robin and knockout stage to follow before a final to determine the champions.
Based on the current world rankings, the teams to qualify for the tournament would be New Zealand, Ireland, Wales, England, South Africa, Scotland, Australia, France, Argentina, Fiji, Japan and Tonga.
It’s understood the idea was pitched by World Rugby vice-chairman Gus Pichot. Speaking to the media, World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper said over half of all internationals are friendlies, however, he confirmed there would be no changes to the calendar.
“There’s a number of models out there but I think ultimately (a North vs South competition) would help add more meaning to a Six Nations or a Championship so it could only be good news for everyone,” he said.
“At the moment 56 per cent of the games in international rugby in the world are friendlies and that’s what we’re looking at and maybe swinging it back towards more meaningful, competitive games and that may be even with interaction north and south.
“We’re looking at a number of different, potential models but certainly the calendar isn’t something we’re seeking to change.”
It’s been said in recent weeks that the World Cup could be expanded as early as the 2023 edition, set to be held in France.
Gosper hinted a 24-team tournament could be used if they can strike the right balance between expansion and quality.
“We’re always looking from an expansive point of view rather than reducing so it’s just a question of when rather than if,” the World Rugby boss said.
“We want to make sure the teams are competitive enough to move to a 24-team tournament. We have assumed 20 for 2023 but we could change that between now and 2023.”
Jarryd Thompson
Roar Rookie
Seems to me the real challenge is the fact that the pool of quality rugby playing nations is so small that there is no need to qualify for international tournaments outside of the world cup. Taking football as an example nations have to qualify for the world cup, euro’s, afcon etc. Having the 6 nations and the rugby championship year in and out causes a bit of a stale effect. Alternating between the traditional 6 nations, rugby championship format and a new 12 team tournament would surely at the very least give motivation to the second and third tier rugby nations to improve, and in turn, have a positive and competitive effect on the world game
EGC
Guest
Oh, you mean like World Series Rugby.....I think that is already being done.
PePe
Guest
Hi, first post here. I would rather love to see a NH vs SH annual tournament, 6 countries from each hemisphere, based on world rugby rankings. Every SH (NH) nation would only play against NH (SH) ones. That is, six games for each side. No play-offs, just this restricted round-Robin. Points of the test-matches would feed the world rugby ranking. But for NH vs SH tournament purposes, all points collected by the 6N members would add to the "NH team", while those of the RCh + Fiji + Japan would add to the "SH team". So, every year there would be a winning hemisphere. This new tournament wouldn't repeat games already happenning in 6N and RCh.
Brizvegas
Guest
How about adding prize money as an incentive?
Dasher
Roar Guru
This comp sounds a lot like your idea from a few years back Alan.
Jacko
Guest
When the ABs do the EOYT they play either England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland or France anyway, As do Aus and SA...but at least if it was a tournament then it has more meaning....I wouldnt do it annually tho....To me two years post WC /Pre WC would be sufficient......Anyway they wont ask us Soapit so it probably doesnt matter what we think and I wont be upset if they leave it as is
Matt
Roar Rookie
Best concept I've heard in regards the 'World League' idea was to instead remove the current automatic qualification for world cups. Then make every team qualify properly for the next WC via the current test match schedule (except the WC hosts). This uses the prestige of the World Cup to make every test match mean something. Currently the tests count towards rankings which can impact pools, but they certainly don't hold the same importance as outright qualification So maybe the 2016 rugby championship winner and 6 nations winners qualify. Then same with 2017, with qualification going to the runners up if the same winners occur. Or the 3 match test series in June determine which teams will go through, same as November. The whole test schedule could be set up to make games more meaningful but without duplicating the World Cup and instead aligning with it.
soapit
Roar Guru
problem is how that comes together with the lions. fair load on the players involved in everything.
soapit
Roar Guru
yeah but those changes down the bottom make some difference at least. plus the wc is only every 4 years so it has novelty value in itself but if its every year it would be monotonous more easily.
warugbynut
Guest
This will sell, the television audience is huge
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Anyhow, Australia (Wallabies) will not have to concern themselves with this competition; if the top 8 teams - we will definitely be out of the 8 by this time next year. And then the top 12 - well we may have 3 years in us. No one is doing anything of substance to improve the status and in fact to do it is a 10 year journey through a number of years more pain.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
LMAO!!
Jacko
Guest
Its not more tests tho...SH already does a 4 test EOY tour and NH already does a 3 test SH tour
Jacko
Guest
5 games by each team in a week? crazy stuff......
Jacko
Guest
yeah but isnt the WC pretty much the same teams also? Even the soccer WC is made up of mostly the same teams.....In the Rugby WC there is a few changes down the bottom end but the top 15 is pretty constant
Cussell Roight
Roar Rookie
Would definitely support a two-year split between RWC and this new tournament. Gives it an olympics/comm games feel but one would hope the new comp is slightly less lopsided than Her Majesty's get together.
Carvin
Roar Rookie
Yep. Wallabies have clearly been shirking since the last World Cup.
Carvin
Guest
Yep. Wallabies have been shirking since last World Cup!
Highlander
Guest
Was quite looking forward to the ABs taking on Ireland and England in a couple of months, very disappointing to find out they are only friendlies and thus are devalued. Would have thought every game where ranking points are at stake, which ultimately affect your RWC seedings, would struggle to be considered friendlies. Oh well, might tune in and watch them anyway. Good business rule, beware Execs looking to make impact for changes sake.
I like that idea