Help for emerging nations

[auchtermuchty]

I was reading in one of the sports sections that Fiji only have 2 tests next year due to the pacific islands team getting their places, think it might be the telegraph. Now surely a team that has just made the last 8 of a world cup deserves better than that.

This then got me to thinking about the Portugal/Georgia's of this world and what the future holds for them. So I have two suggestions....

1. Turn the autumn internationals into double headers. The games often dont start until the evening to accomodate TV so have the 'A' teams turn out against Portugal or Spain. It fulfils the IRB wish to get these countries involved but I can already see the complaints coming from the clubs. So.....

2. Bin the Six nations 'A' championships and use these games as described above. No club complaints as the clubs were losing the players anyway. Indeed the games could be less demanding of the players, although I wouldnt count on it. The clubs may even get to scout some useful talent.

It could even work that the RFU/SRU/WRU/whatever the irish one is could supply coaching and facilities for a week in the lead up to these games. Its not such a far leap, it already happens in the womens game. I had the delight of having lunch with the Swedish womens 7's team at Halton last year as a result of just this situation.

So is this remotely workable or have I had too much Baileys in my coffee?

For the record - swedish women in pigtails and rugby kit.... you soooo would!:PDT_Xtremez_28:

[squipper]

I think your second suggestion has great merit and would as you say tick a lot of IRB boxes. It would also be a good training ground for up-coming match officials to cut their teeth at international level. We have seen the merits of this by the way Wayne Barnes has IMHO had a superb tournament as a referee. He is the youngest ever international referee who has been pushed by the RFU and IRB through minor internationals to where he is today (and beyond). It is a great breeding ground for players, match officials and indeed coaches.

Lets see if the IRB read the Goat too!!!!

[docbombhead]

The Six nations A championship was binned a few years back, and the WRU have said they won't re-introduce an A team again ( I think the RFU have said the same) instead putting the cash saved into development teams such as U18/19's and the 7's team.
As for the world cup I think they should do as the U19's world cup did and have 2 divisions A and B. A being the top rated teams who have a chance of actually winning the tournament, and B the lower teams such as Portugal, Namibia, Romania and Georgia playing each other with a better chance of getting a victory instead of being on the wrong end of a "cricket score" whenever they take the field. I know this takes away the opportunity to play the BIG teams but they could have the winners of division 2 take the place of the team who finished bottom in division 1 in the next world cup plus you can get more developing teams in such as Zimbabwe, China, Chile and Uruguay.

[auchtermuchty]

OK if you say so wrt the WRU, however......

England rebranded their side the England Saxons and certainly played against Italy and Ireland this year in Jan/Feb.

Scotland also have an 'A' side as they send it to the Churchill cup.

So the theory is still sound

[docbombhead]

[QUOTE=auchtermuchty;167113]OK if you say so wrt the WRU, however......

England rebranded their side the England Saxons and certainly played against Italy and Ireland this year in Jan/Feb.

Scotland also have an 'A' side as they send it to the Churchill cup.

Cheers forgot about the saxons and the churchill cup, just been on the web site I didn't realise how many teams played in it.

[prop135]

The Churchill cup is helping to develop some of the lower standard teams whilst giving the higher ranked nation a chance to develop fringe players. It could be worth extending the tournanment or even have another one held elsewhere.

[squipper]

The Pacific Rim have started their own tournament now with Japan and the South Sea Islands entering, all that is required really is a Euro wide competition for the emerging nations. I know there is the Nations Cup for these already, but it still has potential to grow.

The main problem is lack of funds for these nations Rugby Unions as we all saw with Tonga having to obtain private sponsorship to attend the World Cup.

[rugby then work]

That would be a good solution, teams like Georgia, Romania etc should be brought into the Churchill cup; that would certainly give them more meaningful competition but if the competition was also moved to take place in their home countries also provide some well needed cash for their home unions.

[prop135]

That would be a good solution, teams like Georgia, Romania etc should be brought into the Churchill cup; that would certainly give them more meaningful competition but if the competition was also moved to take place in their home countries also provide some well needed cash for their home unions.


I like the thinking, did you steal the idea froma a wasp fan::P:

[auchtermuchty]

but if the competition was also moved to take place in their home countries also provide some well needed cash for their home unions.

Thats why its in the USA and Canada - to improve funds and fanbase.

[rugby then work]

I like the thinking, did you steal the idea froma a wasp fan::P:

Yes :PDT_Xtremez_14:

[prop135]

Yes :PDT_Xtremez_14:
lmao

just read your signature block, haven't seen that quote in ages (probably cos I didn't read the signature block)

funny as fuc& and totally true!!!!!!!!