Rugby craves fresher ideas

If all goes well and World Rugby get their way we could be set for an all-new global rugby competition that will pit north against south every two years in what is currently being called the Nations Championship.

The plan is for a cross-hemisphere competition in nonWorld Cup and Lions tour years, from 2026.

The world’s top 12 nations will square off home and away in matches in June/July and then in November, with matches on neutral ground and a winner determined by a final.

There is also talk of a second division, with the emerging nations involved, and for there to be promotion-relegation matches.

Details are still a little sketchy and there are plenty of questions still to be answered.

Among them: Will neutral venues be agreed upon, how will the revenues be split up, who will decide on “international windows” and player releases, and then, of course, how will this new model, and the additional games, affect player welfare and well-being?

For many years now rugby administrators and fans have been calling for a global calendar and this, in some way, is exactly that.

Also, rugby needs something different, something new and exciting.

Whether this is it though is difficult to say, but at least someone is thinking about a way to freshen things up.

International rugby between the north and south has become very formulaic and predictable at times, with a June/July Test window and the northern hemisphere November Tests.

Then there is the Six Nations and the Rugby Championship.

A change, and getting the “little guys” involved can only be good. Many rugby fans though will say this new proposal is not necessary and too complicated and all they want are for full tours to become part of the rugby landscape again. And they have a point.

I’d also love to see some proper full-length tours again.

Imagine the All Blacks touring here for a month, playing provincial teams midweek and facing the Boks on the Saturday?

Now that would be cool.