South won’t rise
Southern Hemisphere rugby’s reluctance to back the proposed new international set-up is baffling.
The furore over World Rugby’s (WR) proposed revamp of international competition shows yet again that the surest way to rally support for an outmoded and/ or unpopular arrangement is to demonstrate serious intent to change it.
As long as WR appeared to be in favour of or resigned to the status quo, players current and former, commentators and the public moaned incessantly about said status quo. Once it became clear that WR was deeply invested in a proposed 12-team World League, the status quo’s shortcomings seemingly vanished and a jostling queue formed, headed by All Blacks captain Kieran Read, to denounce the new concept in trenchant terms.
The knee-jerk opposition of Northern Hemisphere nations, particularly England and France, and their wealthy club owners is depressing but understandable since the current arrangement works for them. Their populations and infrastructure ensure that live rugby is well supported, their market size and competitive media sectors generate highly lucrative broadcasting deals, and their club owners’ egos and wealth draw players from around the world to add colour and quality to their domestic competitions. Furthermore, they always participate in the three components of international rugby that actually work: the World Cup, the Six Nations and – France and Italy aside – British and Irish Lions tours.
The status quo isn’t working for the Southern Hemisphere and is likely to work even less with each passing year. Given the World League proposal is, among other things, an attempt to address this imbalance, it’s puzzling that so many people in this part of the rugby universe are lining up with those in the north, whose unstated but obvious desire is to carry on undermining and asset-stripping Southern Hemisphere
rugby.