All the rugby world’s a stage

● Plans for the proposed Nations Championships have been put into sharper focus but concerns around player welfare remain.

Following reports in New Zealand media, World Rugby sought to clarify the envisaged competition structure and while they allayed fears around the competitions’ competitive integrity, player workloads is an issue that requires further interrogation.

Though excited by the competition set to launch in 2022, SA Rugby Players Association president Warren Whiteley said World Rugby and the global player representative body need to collaborate more closely.

“Obviously player welfare is going to be a key aspect that is going to need to be addressed. We discussed some of those matters as far back as November.

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“However, since then things seemed to have moved forward quite quickly. Together, I believe, we can come up with the best product,” said Whiteley before adding “there will be challenges”.

“Imagine those European teams having to fly to Australia, New Zealand, Argentina (not to mention Fiji) and here in June.

“At the end of the year the teams going north can be on tour for five weeks.

“There will be more matches, especially if you were to qualify for the semifinal and final. That’s why teams will have to have bigger squads.”

Earlier, rugby heavyweights Jonny Sexton, Owen Farrell and Kieran Read all voiced concerns around player welfare and called for proper consultation.

World Rugby argues players would play a maximum of 13 matches per year if their team reaches the final, while the current average per year for tier one nations floats between 12 and 14 games.

Because of the tournament’s “every game matters” tag, coaches may think twice before rotating their match day squads.

The Nations Championship will also present rugby bosses with a double-edged sword in other ways. Though it won’t be played in Rugby World Cup (RWC) years, the new competition could serve to devalue rugby’s quadrennial jamboree.

Promotion-relegation essential

Yet, the competition may well find fertile ground. For some time there has been an appetite for a shake-up in the global calendar, while a tournament with the scale and scope of the Nations Championship carries vast commercial potential.

“We are quite excited by the concept,” said Whiteley. “We think there can be great value in a competition like that.

“The ultimate decision should not be based on just money. We know rugby is under pressure. We need a competition in which quality will be a big driver. World Rugby told us a competition generates higher viewership than end-of-year tours. Those tours have a lot of tradition, however.”

World Rugby this week explained that their tournament would be merit-based in which the 12 highest-ranked teams would compete.

It will be made up of Europe and the rest of the world. The European section will consist of Six Nations whose points will be carried forward to the Nations Championships.

The four Rugby Championship participants will be joined by two more teams based on the world rankings. Fiji and Japan currently occupy those positions.

The two top teams from each section will play in the semifinals.

There will also be promotion-relegation — which means Pacific Islands teams won’t be out in the cold.

World Rugby meets in Dublin this week.