Rugby authorities are doing themselves no favours in dispelling the belief that rugby still is an elitist sport which only caters for the traditional powerhouses of the game.
I had a debate with an individual on a social media blog prior to the Rugby World Cup where the merits, purpose and value of the World Cup was discussed.
The point of view was raised that it is a brilliant event, giving countries like the USA, the Island teams, and the likes of Georgia, Romania, Canada and the like an opportunity to showcase themselves to the world where they would otherwise never be able to do. It opens doors for their players to get noticed (snapped up by elite rugby playing nations at club level) and helps with the development of the game in their own country and also globally as a sport.
I contested the view at the time stating that although it will always be a massive honour to represent your country in a world event like a World Cup, the ‘value’ they gain from this is minimal if anything.
Outside of the Rugby World Cup, there are two competitions that attract global interest, the Six Nations and its Southern Hemisphere counterpart, the Tri-Nations. For years Italy had to fight to be included in the Northern Hemiphere competition and even though Argentina has been around for ages with some memorable achievements they will only become part of a high profile competition, the Tri Nations, from next year.
Those who have followed these rugby nations’ battles for recognition by the ‘elite’ rugby community will know very well extents they had to go to in order to get the recognition they have long ago deserved. Even after Argentina ended 3rd in the World Cup of 2007, their inclusion into the Tri-Nations only came 5 years later not because everyone felt they deserved it, but because they could no longer be ignored.
It is a ridiculous situation and an embarrassment to the game of rugby and its administrators, and it has reared its ugly head again at this year’s event.
While everyone is celebrating the commitment and achievements of these ‘minnow’ unions at the World Cup where they are no longer getting snotted by cricket scores (albeit after week 1 only) the IRB and its organisers have been quick to ‘show’ everyone how their programmes and work in these countries are seemingly paying off.
Don’t get me wrong, some wonderful things are done in these countries many of whom would have disappear from the world of rugby if it was not for the work and development the IRB is doing. Japan will soon play host to the Rugby World Cup and Russia will host the Sevens World Cup in future in addition to high performance centres being established in these regions.
For some reason though I just cannot seem to shake this feeling that it’s a facade where even though it seems a lot is being done to close the (massive) gap the elite rugby nations are (those who carry the majority vote within the IRB) still, and will be for some time to come, be protected species.
Week 1 of the Rugby World Cup saw the likes of Tonga, Romania, Georgia, the USA and similar ‘minnow’ unions either coming close to upsetting, or holding their own quite well against the so-called tier 1 rugby nations. In these games it was quite evident to see the passion and commitment of these teams and players, but it was also glaringly obvious that they do not have the depth or professional structures in place to be a consistent threat throughout the full 80 minutes and my guess, throughout the pool stages of this tournament.
I am willing to bet that the cricket scores are still coming, especially considering the schedule imposed on these teams.
Tonga had a 4 day turn-around from facing the might All Blacks to playing Canada (who beat them). The USA had just 3 days from playing Ireland on Sunday to playing Russia on Thursday. Samoa faces a similar challenge where they will have to play one of their most important games (against Wales) 3 days after playing Namibia. The other ‘minnow’ teams will face a similar turn-around in weeks to come whilst the elite rugby nations, with the possible exception of Scotland who had a 3-day turn around in week 1 (and it showed as they almost lost), all have 6+ days to prepare between games.
If you handicap teams who are already struggling for quality depth in their squad, what chance are you actually giving them?
An improved schedule might still not help all the teams, but there are a few teams like Samoa, Tonga or Fiji who has proven in the past they can beat some of the bigger teams and make it to the play-offs. Argentina proved in 2007 that given the chance, they might even sustain it beyond just a quarter final.
Whereas nothing short of a finals appearance will satisfy nations like South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, etc. a quarter final, or even semi-final appearance by some of these minnow teams would be like winning the tournament, perhaps even kick-starting a rugby revolution in their country!
The World Cup organisers have defended the schedule stating the television audience prefer seeing the top teams in world rugby on premier playing days (weekends) – I find this a bit odd, especially since last I checked a country like the USA or Japan has a much larger population or viewing audience than a country like England – would it not make more sense to capture the imagination of those countries?
I have no doubt a country like Argentina has forced the establishment to include them (and they were very reluctant) with their performance in the World Cup of 2007 which ensured they could no longer be ignored. Even then, they had to wait 5 years.
For me it’s clear, rugby (or its elitist establishment) is not ready (or willing) to see a Georgia, Romania or Russia become a rugby powerhouse.
Morne’ wasnt Argentina excluded because of the SANZAR television agreement which only expires in 2012?….I think everyone wanted them in earlier. I think the difference in days off before playing again is damned unfair to the smaller rugby Nations…..that playing field should be levelled. I also think that with the amount of games the “elite” teams play, that they have become a bit jaded about the whole thing….its just a matter of time until the elite nations get a klap from a few of the minnow….who are the only guys frankly in my opinion that still play with passion in the prelim rounds.
Morne
Maybe people will listen to your arguement, because most people certainly don’t listen to me when I beat the same drum.
The top echelon at the IRB have to be shown the door and be replaced with young, dynamic administrators who are prepared to rock the boat a little if the sport of Rugby Union is ever to become something more than a fringe sport on the world stage.
I have a regular chat to a good friend now living in darkest Africa who was once (not too long ago) the team manager for the England U18 side. Some of the stories he tells make one shiver.
The poor attitude(s) that are holding the sport back on the world stage though are unfortunately not confined to the top echelon of he IRB and the representatives of the founder Nations (Hoskens etc) but is IMO very prevalent at Provincial level in South Africa amongst the “big Unions”.
The decision to cut the CC to just 6 teams next year is a case in point IMO. How will the smaller Unions like the Pumas ever get to the level of the “big 5” if they are not permitted to compete regularly. Let’s be honest, as much as the performances of the minnows at the WC have been a nice surprise to the majority of us, equally as pleasant is the fact that in the CC this year no team can go to Nelspruit / Witbank and assume they’ll come away with 5 points.
Professionalism is rearing it’s head all over, and the smaller teams are playing better all the time AT ALL LEVELS because of it.
As to how the attitudes of those in charge can be changed, well I really don’t know. They are better protected than our poor Rhino’s. (No I don’t mean the SA Rugby League side!)
No doubt the minnow teams are paying better rugby. The old principle or trueism of strength against strenght should however be kept in mind. I would like to see the minnows play more against each other. Maybe something like a losers pool (like in seven’s) where the teams that doesn’t make it through the pool stages have a play-off against each other.
I think you are correct the cricket scores will soon start to show as these minnows get figured out by the big teams. Only reasons why the minnows are doing so well in early stages, I think, is because 1. they are highly motivated to do well against the big teams while the big teams just wants to get past them without injuries to key players; 2. the new breakdown rule is helping them to control the ball and in doing so neautralising the big teams for large parts of the match; 3. they are a unknown entity to the big teams in the sense the players don’t know who are the danger men in theminnow teams or what is the particular style of the miinow team.
Once the big teams figure them out -mostly about beggining of the second half- it sort of become one way traffic.
The problem of these minnow teams their playrs only take up the game in their mid twenties. They don’t have rugby as a school game like SA, NZ and the UK teams. You need to be an outstanding athlete to take up the game in your twenties and being good at it. There is a age window during which the neurological skill development needs to take place it you miss that window you’ll be at a disadvantage and will probably never catch up.
I therefore have my doubts whether some of these minnow team will ever develop into power houses and are at this stage not convinced that they really benefit from being pulled into major tournament like tri-nations or six nations.
Personally I recko these minnow teams should go on rugby tours to countries like SA, NZ, the UK and Aussie to develop their game and players rtaher than being dumped into major tournaments.
Well you were right; firts game of the second week and we have a cricker score; 83 for 7.
To be brutally honest Italy have been shyte since atmittance to 6 nation status. They ahve wion a couple including a game against France but they just don’t like natural rugby players no matter how hard you try and and be positive about them. The reason rugby is not played at school level in Italy.
What Italy and teams like Argentina (who only played well during the last EWC because a lot or of their players were playing club rugby in France) need to do is to do the hard yard like SA, and NZ did. There is no short cutts. Go on extended tours to the UK, Australia, NZ and SA and develop a players pool of 30 who will become influencial in club and provincial level in the next 10 years.
What was the first thing SA did after re-admittance in 1992? We went on two tours 1993 to Aussie and 1994 to NZ. We lost both series but we won the RWC in 1995.
There is a lesson in that. Stop the window dressing and let Georgia, Russia, Italy and so forth do the hard yards if they are serious about getting to the top.
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