Rugby can build on successful Cup
By Don Riddell, CNN World Sport
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Attendance figures for the World Cup reached nearly two million.
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LONDON, England (CNN) -- Runners-up Australia might not altogether agree, but the Rugby World Cup tournament has been a terrific success.
Organizers will certainly concur because they are predicting a $35 million profit from the event.
Ticket sales have far outweighed expectations, and almost two million fans had passed through the turnstiles by the time of England's final triumph.
Of course, all this bodes well for the global growth of the game.
But the International Rugby Board (IRB) can do even better next time around -- and If the wealth isn't spread properly, there might not even be a next time for the likes of Samoa and Tonga.
Their participation was devalued because they couldn't afford to compensate some of their best players for their time Down Under. The professional era has not arrived for everyone.
Improvements needed
Over the past few weeks, we've had some of world's best players on "World Sport," and all have offered their ideas of where improvements are needed.
The former England lock Martin Bayfield suggested that the bigger nations should "adopt" a smaller one, and take responsibility for their development. After all, it's in everyone's best interests to have as many strong teams as possible.
He also proposed the introduction of a 'plate' competition. This would ensure that the lesser teams have the chance to return home with something other than a consolation victory from the group stages.
End of an era
For many, this tournament is the end of an era.
The French scrum half Fabien Galthie was the first high profile player to call it quits. The veteran of four world cups was so disappointed with Les Bleus' exit to England that he made his retirement immediate, making himself unavailable for the third place play-off game.
The All Blacks vice-captain Tana Umaga -- injured from the first game -- will also be "considering his future."
And it may be the last we see of some of England's victorious but ageing team -- nickamed "Dad's Army" by the Australians -- although coach Clive Woodward hopes they will all be around for the start of the Six Nations.
Prop Jason Leonard, the new world record holder for international appearances, earned his 113th cap in the final and surely can't continue for much longer.
The manner of England's progression to the final has led to calls from many (notably Australia and New Zealand) to re-assess the points allocation for kicking penalties and drop goals. At present, three points are awarded for each.
Some see England's mastery -- through Jonny Wilkinson -- at converting territorial domination into points as boring.
The main problem with reducing the number of points for a penalty is the increased potential for "professional" fouls.
And England aren't the only culprits.
Only seven tries had been scored in the four previous finals and there were none when the Springboks triumphed in 1995.
So it's an ongoing issue -- but hardly one that warrants immediate attention. The IRB have proved that they've got a hit game on their hands, and for millions of fans, the next World Cup can't come soon enough.
Don Riddell presents World Sport on CNN International at 0930 GMT, 1230 GMT, 1430 GMT, and 2130 GMT daily (also 0030 GMT at weekends and daily in Asia.)
