Test rugby is struggling, Agustin Pichot has told us, but an annual World League is not the answer.
Sure, international rugby could do with a freshen-up, some clarity and more consideration to the second-tier nations, but all that shouldn’t be delivered at the expense of the World Cup.
Just over a week ago in Sydney, World Rugby officials proposed a shake-up of Test rugby with the idea of a 12-team tournament pitting the north against south every year.
The World League – a concept based on soccer’s new European Nations League.
World Rugby vice-chairman Pichot is apparently leading the sell, with the top 12-ranked countries to be involved over a five-week stretch.
The upside to that is that a few of the second-tier nations would get to play in more meaningful Tests outside the four-year cycle of the World Cup.
That would certainly be beneficial for their development. Given the current rankings, Fiji, Japan and Tonga would be involved against the four Rugby Championship teams and the Six Nations sides – minus Italy.
The proposal is said to be partly rooted in the notion that the end-of-year European Tests haven’t got enough meaning; that these so-called friendlies are a touch hollow. Structured tournaments are allegedly the solution.
That’s rubbish. Called them what you like, but the November Test window that pits the south against the north are high-intensity, hard-fought encounters. There are trophies on offer and Twickenham, Stade de France, Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and Murrayfield are usually packed out.
Meaningless they’re certainly not.
Try telling an 18-year-old Jordan Petaia, hoping to make his Wallabies debut this month, that 82,000 people rammed into Twickenham is just a friendly.
(Photo by David Rogers – RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)
But the biggest question is around alternating the hosting of the annual tournament between northern and southern hemispheres.
Does that mean Test match rugby in Australia in November? Or when it’s the southern hemisphere’s turn, it’s played during the year – in say June and July? That would mean Super Rugby would revert to the dreaded momentum-killing mid-tournament break, or the Rugby Championship would be rejigged in some way.
Playing Tests in Australia in November isn’t going to happen. Mid-October would be the latest legitimate slot. And then that would affect the powerful club competitions in England, France and the rest of Europe – which usually start in early September.
Rugby scheduling – the bane of every sporting administrator that’s tasked with maximising revenue and sparking interest, but has to deal with the realities of club loyalties and player welfare.
Jam in some more Tests, and soon after come the allegations of cheapening international rugby. It’s an accusation that Steve Hansen copped on Thursday when he named eight new faces in his All Blacks’ 23 for this weekend’s Test against Japan.
Hansen is more interested in knocking over England next weekend and has to account for a long Super Rugby and Rugby Championship season.
The fact that the All Blacks haven’t played England in the November Tests since 2014 proves there are problems with scheduling.
The World League would basically give us the World Cup quarter-finals on an annual basis with a few others sprinkled in. The World Cup would lose too much of its sheen. Another tournament isn’t the solution, if indeed – as Pichot states – Test rugby is “under threat”.
AndyStoko
Roar Rookie
Could be super fun to watch. However, regarding the claim that international rugby is struggling, I've never read anything more ridiculous. International rugby is amazing right now, especially in the Northern Hemisphire .
Dahl
Roar Rookie
I think this is a good option in a 4 year cycle. Wc 2019. Ws 2021. Wc 2023. Ws 2025. Every second year 6 nations and southern hemisphere comps. Odds and evens.
Snobby Deans
Guest
Great idea.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Not a bad idea... 3rd place team in each pool moves on. Play a semi then a final which would take place as a double header alongside the 3rd place game.
Pieceofmerce
Guest
I think 4 year off cycle to rwc 2 tournaments. 1) eastern hemisphere or non European nations and the rest of the world group world cup format works better. Imagine USA Canada Pacific islands south American countries. Played in USA, japan etc. Wouldnt that help coffers for Sanzar and develop competitive games for island teams etc.. Europe can bring in georgia Germany portualgal spain etc. Game over
Old Bugger
Guest
I'm definitely interested in this World Series (WS) proposal for the obvious reasons - a) That eventually, this could lead to a global season and b) that the revenue earned will probably be shared and of course, increase the earnings of those unions, south of the equator. Why this interest?? Because right now, it is those southern unions where rugby is being seriously challenged by the spending powers of rugby clubs, north of the equator. Whether this WS proposal spells potential danger to the importance of the RWC will be a concern to those who make these decisions - the WR board and of course, the northern unions who will probably see a declining revenue because they will have to share it, with their southern counterparts.....uh-oh, there goes the proposal down the loo drain. Such a darn pity.....
brian
Guest
If World Rugby wants to help second tier nations then they should look at the RWC instead of adding more fixtures. Running a "Shield" at the RWC would give additional games to second tier teams with only a modest increase in costs to them and their players. I would presume that the second tier nations would focus a lot of their attention, and budget, on the RWC as they cannot afford to compete at their absolute peak year-in year-out. Adding a second set of quarters, semis and finals for the lower half of each pool in RWC would add 8 more matches to RWC. It would allow second tier nations to be in competitive situations at a time when they have "spent the farm" to get there. And it would give fans of second tier nations a reason to travel to RWC.
Slats
Roar Rookie
More rugby that actually means something - I'm down with that - but I agree with the comments here that having it every year is overkill. Every second perhaps, starting the year after the world cup perhaps to allow it to offset the world cup? I would suggest that rotating between north and south, november in the north and september right after super rugby finishes in the south may work pretty well. Skipping the Rugby Championship once in a while isn't going to kill us - it's a boring old affair, that one, especially for us Aussies who are out of the running after the first two tests each year. Not getting smashed in Bledisloe every year may not be the worst thing for our confidence either, and some of the aura of the cup may return if we play it every second year (for instance).
Carlin
Roar Rookie
This article sums up some of the issues regarding the World League especially around Tier 2 nations and when during the year when would certain hemispheres host. I would like to see some sort of format trialed but not on an annual basis. Every second year in between World Cups maybe as a suggestion. Let each hemisphere host once than work out from there if it is viable in the long run. The 3 match June series and November Internationals are very good in my opinion. I especially love setting the alarm to watch New Zealand play in the Northern Hemisphere. I would even be keen to see a couple of mid-week tour matches put into more schedules. This helps countries create some more depth by taking more players and allowing them a taste of the environment and some local teams get an opportunity to play an International team.
Kane
Roar Guru
Agreed, it was a match no one wanted to see in 2016 because of the 4-0 drubbing in 2014 and the RWC performance by England. It wasn't until after the second Six Nations that people started demanding they play, and then the wheels fell off.
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
Bring it on...……. Super Rugby will be re jigged the next Broadcasting deal anyway. I think that there wouldn't be many that would not like to see a feast of regular internationals. Yes unthinkable at the moment to have this fixture and maintain current Euro and Southern Club Comp's, but I'm sure a financial deal could be brokered with club bosses if they are getting a slice. Many will bang on about player welfare, but that would only be based on current player schedules. If world rugby can revamp all comps to allow this, why wouldn't ya. As for Shag cheapening international rugby with his Japan selection, you can't seriously give Japan a chance, could you Will. A full or even semi strength side against Japan would like killing a fly with Sherman Tank.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Having it annually will not help international rugby, fans will get bored with it in due course, maybe every 2 years, similar to Comminwealth Games, then Olympics. I also agree I love the November tours and the 3 Test series like we had with Ireland this year.
Bozo
Guest
"The fact that the All Blacks haven’t played England in the November Tests since 2014 proves there are problems with scheduling." One of the reasons the All Blacks haven't played England since 2014 was the change in scheduling that brought back the three-Test series. England played a three-Test series in NZ to balance out the three tests NZ had played in England in successive years. The three-Test series has proven popular with broadcasters and the NZ public and gives countries like NZ a chance to generate improved income as the hosts. That seems fair after the All Blacks fill NH coffers on a regular basis and receive nothing in return.