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Australia and New Zealand’s top provincial sides could be competing for the title of global champions by 2025 under a proposal to introduce a Club World Cup.
As part of the plan, the best eight clubs from the Champions Cup featuring European and South African teams would take on seven from the Super Rugby Pacific and the best franchise from Japan in a tournament every four years.
The 16 teams would be placed in four pools with each side facing off at least twice against opponents from the other side of the globe.
All four pool winners would progress to a semi-final stage and then final to declare a world club champion.
According to a report in The Telegraph in the UK, key stakeholders in the UK have endorsed the radical idea.
Australian teams like the Waratahs, Reds, Brumbies and New Zealand’s strongest franchises like the Crusaders, Hurricanes, Chiefs and Blues would get the rare chance to lock horns with the best from France, the English Premiership and South Africa’s finest after their controversial departure from Super Rugby.
The idea is to run the tournament as a forerunner to the British and Lions tour in 2025 and follow the same four-yearly cycle as the famous squad.
Israel Folau represented Tonga for the first time against Fiji. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
Tonga will be without star internationals Israel Folau, Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau for their World Cup playoff against Hong Kong on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Outside back Folau, capped 73 times for Australia before his Wallabies contract was terminated in 2019, suffered a serious hamstring injury early in his Tonga debut in the 36-0 loss to hosts Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup.
Coach Toutai Kefu told Reuters the dual code international could be sidelined for up to another 12 weeks.
Former New Zealand centre Fekitoa had returned to Irish club Munster after suffering a calf injury while fellow All Black Piutau had only committed to two matches during the Pacific Nations Cup, Kefu added.
In a further blow, former Australia No.8 Lopeti Timani had also been scratched from the Hong Kong game after failing a fitness test at training on Thursday morning.
His place on the bench will be taken by Sione Tuipulotu.
Tonga have only missed qualifying for one World Cup in 1991 and should have too much quality for Hong Kong, despite heading into the playoff in dire form after three straight defeats at the Pacific Nations Cup.
The winner secures a place in Pool D at next year’s World Cup in France with reigning champions South Africa, Ireland, Scotland and Romania.
Tonga squad: Telusa Veainu, Tima Fainga’anuku, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Fetuli Paea, Anzelo Tu’itavuki, William Havili, Sonatane Takulua (capt), Sione Havili Talitui, Solomone Funaki, Tanginoa Halaifonua, Sam Lousi, Halaleva Fifita, Ben Tameifuna, Siua Maile, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi. Replacements: Samiuela Moli, David Lolohea, Siate Tokolahe, Semisi Paea, Sione Tuipulotu, Manu Paea, James Faiva, Otumaka Mausia.
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.