NZ Rugby CEO

NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson has been frustrated by the French and English clubs’ decision to block the path to a global season.

World Rugby’s hopes of restructuring the global calendar predictably faced stiff opposition from the European clubs during an online forum on Monday night, derailing plans to introduce a global calendar from 2021 by shifting the test window from July to October ahead of the existing November window.

A radical change to the international programme could accelerate the formation of a 10 Nations tournament, and therefore raise much-needed revenue from broadcasters in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Player welfare has also been promoted as a compelling reason to align the southern and northern hemisphere calendars but, as Robinson noted, none of this would be possible unless the French and English clubs were open to change to their competition structures.

‘‘We were a little disappointed with the approach that some of the northern hemisphere clubs brought to the table around a lack of open mindedness and a willingness to possibly consider that,’’ Robinson said yesterday.

While representatives from the Six Nations unions signalled they were willing to compromise, and players from both sides of the equator were receptive to a restructure to their seasons, the French and English clubs weren’t.

Sanzaar and the Six Nations unions took the proposals to the meeting and were aligned with World Rugby – unlike those in the French and English club competitions.

World Rugby issued a statement noting the forum provided a platform for national unions, international professional club competitions and players to exchange ‘‘frank views’’ and consider reform.

There was

commitment,

it said, to further detailed commercial and player welfare modelling in full collaboration with the club game to better assess the viability and attractiveness, for all parties, of a potential new programme.

But such a vision will amount to nothing if the French and English clubs continue to be stubborn. One option is to start their competitions in the summer to accommodate the test window, which has not been well-received by some.

NZ Rugby can only be a frustrated bystander as they wait for the next meeting to discuss the topic again.

In the meantime they can only