World Rugby criticized for ‘out of touch’ calendar shake-up
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Story highlights
World Rugby proposed new global league
12-team format would run throughout season
Strongly criticized by top international players
CNN
—
There could be a major spanner in the works of World Rugby’s plans for a major shake-up to the game’s international setup – the players.
According to reports, a new 12-team competition beginning in 2020 has been proposed which would include New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, France, England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, USA and Japan.
Teams would play each other once a year with Japan and USA added alongside the southern hemisphere teams to the Rugby Championship. Semifinals and a final would be held in the northern hemisphere in November or December.
However, a number of leading players have voiced concerns about the impact of playing top-level Test matches that would also require large amounts of travel.
“Fans want to see meaningful games; they don’t want to see fatigued players playing a reduced quality of rugby as part of a money-driven, weakened competition that doesn’t work for the players or clubs,” said New Zealand captain Kieran Read, a member of the International Rugby Players Council.
“With new technologies, new broadcast deals and new money coming into the sport, this is a crucial moment for rugby and one that many players are generally excited about. However, we have to make sure that the integrity of the game and welfare of the players is protected.”
New Zealand beat Australia 34-17 to win its second straight Rugby World Cup at Twickenham Stadium, London in October 2015. Four years on, the focus will shift to Japan, where 12 stadiums throughout the country will host the tournament from September 20 to November 2.
Photos: RWC 2019 venues
Rugby World Cup 2019
What: International Stadium Yokohama Capacity: 72,327 Where: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture Matches: New Zealand vs South Africa; Ireland vs Scotland; England vs France; Japan vs Scotland; Semifinals 1 & 2; Final
Photos: RWC 2019 venues
Rugby World Cup 2019
What: Tokyo Stadium Capacity: 49,970 Where: Tokyo Metropolitan Matches: Japan vs Romania; France vs Argentina; Australia vs Wales; England v Argentina; New Zealand vs Namibia; Quarterfinals 2 & 4; Bronze final
Photos: RWC 2019 venues
Rugby World Cup 2019
What: City of Toyota Stadium Capacity: 45,000 Where: Toyota, Aichi Prefecture Matches: Wales vs Georgia; South Africa vs Namibia; Japan vs Samoa; New Zealand vs Italy
Photos: RWC 2019 venues
Rugby World Cup 2019
What: Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa Capacity: 50,889 Where: Shizuoka Prefecture Matches: Japan vs Ireland; South Africa vs Italy; Scotland vs Romania; Australia vs Georgia
Photos: RWC 2019 venues
Rugby World Cup 2019
What: Hanazono Rugby Stadium Capacity: 32,228 Where: Higashiosaka City, Osaka Prefecture Matches: Italy vs Namibia; Argentina vs Tonga; Georgia vs Fiji; USA vs Tonga
Photos: RWC 2019 venues
Rugby World Cup 2019
What: Kumamoto Stadium Capacity: 32,228 Where: Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture Matches: France vs Tonga; Wales vs Uruguay
Photos: RWC 2019 venues
Rugby World Cup 2019
What: Oita Stadium Capacity: 40,000 Where: Oita Prefecture Matches: New Zealand vs Canada; Australia vs Uruguay; Wales vs Fiji; Quarterfinals 1 & 3
Photos: RWC 2019 venues
MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
What: Kumagaya Rugby Stadium Capacity: 25,600 Where: Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture Matches: Russia vs Samoa; Georgia vs Uruguay; Argentina vs USA
Photos: RWC 2019 venues
QUENTIN TYBERGHIEN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
What: Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium Capacity: 16,334 Where: Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture Matches: Fiji vs Uruguay; Namibia vs Canada
Photos: RWC 2019 venues
Rugby World Cup 2019
What: Sapporo Dome Capacity: 41,410 Where: Sapporo City Matches: Australia vs Fiji; England vs Tonga
Photos: RWC 2019 venues
Rugby World Cup 2019
What: Kobe Misaki Stadium Capacity: 30,132 Where: Kobe City Matches: England vs USA; Scotland vs Samoa; Ireland vs Russia; South Africa vs Canada
Photos: RWC 2019 venues
Rugby World Cup 2019
What: Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium Capacity: 21,562 Where: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture Matches: Italy vs Canada; France vs USA; Ireland vs Samoa
Read was supported by Ireland flyhalf Johnny Sexton, who was named World Rugby Player of the Year last year.
“To suggest that players can play five incredibly high-level Test matches in consecutive weeks in November is out of touch and shows little understanding of the physical strain this brings,” said Sexton.
According to a report in the New Zealand Herald, a broadcast deal has been tabled that would see the countries involved in the so-called World League receive between $6.8 million and $9.5 million each season in TV rights.
Promotion and relegation would not feature, meaning the likes of Georgia, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa would all be excluded despite Fiji being ranked ninth in the world and Georgia 12th. Japan is currently ranked 11th, the USA is 13th, while Italy is 15th.
The 12 teams reportedly included in the World League all agreed to the proposal.
Further concerns have been aired about the growing gap in finances and resources between established and emerging rugby nations, with the current proposal remaining in place for at least 10 years.
“We feel that that a 12-year deal is not workable, particularly when it presents no hope of advancement during that period,” said Samoa captain Chris Vui.
“This will have the dangerous knock-on effect of luring senior players away from their countries and more towards the clubs, which is the exact opposite of what we’re all trying to achieve.”
Photos: The Rugby World Cup -- a history
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
England, 2015 —
New Zealand became the first side to retain the Rugby World Cup after defeating Australia 34-17 in the final at Twickenham Stadium.
Photos: The Rugby World Cup -- a history
Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
New Zealand, 2011 —
The All Blacks ended a 24-year drought when they lifted the Web Ellis trophy on home soil in 2011. Here, Ma'a Nonu greets raucous crowds during the victory parade in Wellington.
Photos: The Rugby World Cup -- a history
Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
France, 2007 —
South Africa claimed its second title in France in 2007, defeating England 6-15 at the Stade de France in Paris.
Photos: The Rugby World Cup -- a history
DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Australia, 2003 —
England became the first -- and to this day the only -- northern hemisphere side to win the World Cup in 2003 by defeating Australia 20-17 in Sydney. Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson struck the winning drop goal in extra-time.
Photos: The Rugby World Cup -- a history
OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Wales, 1999 —
Australia's second World Cup victory in 1999 came eight years after its first. A 35-12 victory over France saw John Eales' side lift the trophy in Cardiff.
Photos: The Rugby World Cup -- a history
JEAN-PIERRE MULLER/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
South Africa, 1995 —
It's one of rugby's most iconic images -- South African President Nelson Mandela presenting the World Cup to Springbok captain Francois Pienaar in 1995. The victory helped unite the nation shortly after the end of apartheid.
Photos: The Rugby World Cup -- a history
Russell Cheyne/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
England, 1991 —
Australia first tasted World Cup victory in 1991 after narrowly defeating England 12-6 in the final.
Photos: The Rugby World Cup -- a history
GEORGES GOBET/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
New Zealand, 1987 —
The All Blacks won the inaugural Rugby World Cup on home soil in 1987. Captain David Kirk kisses the trophy following victory over France in Auckland.
Talks were initially held by World Rugby in September last year that sought to improve the “long-term quality and integrity of the international game.”
While it is yet to comment specifically on the proposed league, the governing body issued a statement responding to criticism of what it called “ongoing wider stakeholder consultation.
“World Rugby’s commitment to player welfare matters is unwavering and we will continue to engage and give full consideration to the welfare of players within the ongoing discussions,” said a statement.
“Consumer research confirms a structured annual competition would make fans and new audiences more likely to watch, attend and engage with international rugby, exposing the sport to new fans worldwide.
“There is also no doubt that a structured annual international competition would deliver significantly greater long-term global media revenue for reinvestment in the global game. This project has at its heart long-term growth and stability, not short-term wins, and that includes greater opportunity for players.”