Planet Rugby Forum

Flyin Ryan wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

piquant wrote:I'd also add this isn't going to end rugby in Romania or Spain, though it will hamper/delay progression of the game in both countries, just if rugby in Romania can for instance survive the collapse of he Soviet Union it can survive this. There is in the short term the chance for WR to confirm no matter both countries have failed to qualify for the RWC given both might have expected to do so then no matter they miss out WR will ensure they received central payments equivalent to what they would have received had they gone to Japan, it's a lot of money to Spain and Romania, and it's not that much to WR

Also, as I've argued, with so many countries battling it out for places and seemingly small decisions being the difference between them all, but the finances can make a big difference, it's time for World Rugby to consider expanding the RWC. It's obvious after Japan that we will have a number of new Rugby countries attacking old powers with the likes of Russia, Germany, Spain, The Neatherlands, Brazil all ready to kick-on or will be ready soon in the right environment and Samoa, Canada, Romania all potentially struggling right now and the likes of Uruguay vulnerable if they don't qualify.

Not sure how you make the leap from national unions cheating to we must expand the World Cup, but whatever.

Not cheating but the fact there are so many bating for one space so closely.

My main issue with expanding to 24 as I've said before is the first month of the tournament would be entirely skippable for everyone except diehards.

How's it different to now?

Hong Kong wrote:This has been a clusterfuck from day one.

A couple of very obvious issues: ER needs to be disbanded and reorganised. The new board/committee need to put in place a system to make sure this never happens again.

WR need to ensure the above is carried out. No exception

ER WE RA all complete bunch of self serving gin guzzlers that hold the game back

grievous wrote:

Hong Kong wrote:This has been a clusterfuck from day one.

A couple of very obvious issues: ER needs to be disbanded and reorganised. The new board/committee need to put in place a system to make sure this never happens again.

WR need to ensure the above is carried out. No exception

ER WE RA all complete bunch of self serving gin guzzlers that hold the game back

Blazers and Alicadoos on the gravy train.

eldanielfire wrote:

Flyin Ryan wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

piquant wrote:I'd also add this isn't going to end rugby in Romania or Spain, though it will hamper/delay progression of the game in both countries, just if rugby in Romania can for instance survive the collapse of he Soviet Union it can survive this. There is in the short term the chance for WR to confirm no matter both countries have failed to qualify for the RWC given both might have expected to do so then no matter they miss out WR will ensure they received central payments equivalent to what they would have received had they gone to Japan, it's a lot of money to Spain and Romania, and it's not that much to WR

Also, as I've argued, with so many countries battling it out for places and seemingly small decisions being the difference between them all, but the finances can make a big difference, it's time for World Rugby to consider expanding the RWC. It's obvious after Japan that we will have a number of new Rugby countries attacking old powers with the likes of Russia, Germany, Spain, The Neatherlands, Brazil all ready to kick-on or will be ready soon in the right environment and Samoa, Canada, Romania all potentially struggling right now and the likes of Uruguay vulnerable if they don't qualify.

Not sure how you make the leap from national unions cheating to we must expand the World Cup, but whatever.

Not cheating but the fact there are so many bating for one space so closely.

My main issue with expanding to 24 as I've said before is the first month of the tournament would be entirely skippable for everyone except diehards.

How's it different to now?

Have you watched any of the last few world cups? And by your admission thete adding these teams would not improve the tournament.

grievous wrote: Have you watched any of the last few world cups? And by your admission thete adding these teams would not improve the tournament.

What you're missing is that the current format of the RWC basically forces T2 (and T1 to a lesser extent, but they have more depth anyway) teams to either field 2nd string teams or play first choice players on short rest which reduces performance and is potentially a player welfare issue. The worst game of the tournament last time was USA vs South Africa. USA fielded an almost complete 2nd string side to face the Boks in order to save their first choice for Japan 4 days later. Do you think teams 21-24 are really that much worse than the 2nd string teams of the bottom end teams? Japan actually made a huge mistake in fielding their first string team against the Boks, one that others in the future probably won't make, and the RWC will be worse for it.

grievous wrote: Have you watched any of the last few world cups? And by your admission thete adding these teams would not improve the tournament.

I think it would. The same excuses about how shit expansion was supposed to be were given about Euro 2016 and they fell by the wayside when the tournament ended up as one of the best. The Tier 2 level of the tournament would certainly improve. More groups, a round of 16 fewer group games and more unexpected results from tier 2 vs tier 2 nations. the format also leads to fewer obvious and one sided scorelines.