Eddie’s the entertainer we all need
IT PROMISES to be a massive year, leading up to a wide-open battle for global supremacy in France in the autumn. While so much attention will be on who claims the Webb Ellis Cup, rugby has plenty of scope for improvement and here is my wish- list for 2023...
WORLD CUP UPSETS
THE showpiece will come alive with a series of unexpected results. hosts Japan illuminated the 2019 edition by beating Ireland and Scotland on their charge to the quarter-finals and the Brave Blossoms could threaten the established order again, but who else?
Georgia and Fiji are capable of challenging Australia and Wales to qualify for the last eight.
A northern winner of the ultimate prize would buck the historic trend of southern dominance, with the French favourites plus No 1-ranked Ireland or even England capable of going all the way. As ever, this column hopes the Pacific island teams can harness limited resources to claim prime scalps — and also that Italy’s revival accelerates.
TIME FOR TRUE EXPANSION
IF THE delayed global calendar vision finally comes together, let it make meaningful room for emerging nations such as Georgia, Portugal and Chile — not just others with market appeal.
Six Nations promotion and relegation would open up the sport and tap into European potential. Let the Premiership overhaul include greater co- operation with and funding for the Championship — with Worcester and Wasps rescued and at the vanguard of a second-tier upgrade.
Ideally, there will be a Welsh revival, at Test and regional level, another first-time Champions Cup winner and renewed commitment to take that event to new territories. And maybe this year the World Rugby men’s player award can go to a prop, rather than to a back-rower or half-back as usual.
LEARN TO SELL THE GAME
RUGBY has to sell itself far better than it has done in the era of pseudo professionalism. There must be a mood to innovate, with behind-thescenes documentaries, terrestrial TV coverage and more billboard advertising. Put shot clocks on the big screens and match stats which improve an understanding of the often complex spectacle.
Bring rival coaches and players together to whet the appetite for marquee matches. Ramp up the pre-match entertainment. Clubs and national teams should train in city centres in front of the public. More co- operative social media campaigns and use of in-game footage is an area for progress, but rugby also has to lower ticket prices, phase out anti-social kick-off times and have clear calendar blocks for each competition.
RETURN OF EDDIE JONES
LOVE him or hate him, everyone would surely agree that the former England head coach possesses a showman’s knack for drawing attention to the sport. The Australian’s exile is unlikely to last long. The best- case script must be that he takes on a role with the Wallabies and finds himself up against England in a World Cup quarter-final.
If not, another country is bound to make a move and it would add intrigue and spice if Jones showed up in France with Japan or Georgia, Samoa or Argentina — or any team at all. Just get him in and enjoy the wise-cracking chaos.
SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE: GET ON WITH IT...OR ELSE!
WORLD RUGBY’S new directives have one primary objective — to cut down time-wasting. All who care about improving the spectacle must pray for a positive outcome.
If the curse of scrum re- sets can’t be solved, it will end up having to become a re- start tool as it is in league.
Crooked feeds and caterpillar rucks are menaces too. They should have a countdown clock for lineouts and referees must be backed to enforce the new laws with a zero-tolerance zeal. If scrum-halves are told to play the ball at a ruck, it must happen at once, not after five seconds of pod-planning.
Endless mauls and kick- chase marathons don’t set the hearts racing either, but those issues will have to wait. The message has to be: ‘Get on with it, or else.’
LESS IS MORE
THERE must be a global drive to reduce workloads and wages. Lower pay for fewer matches is the only logical answer to the threats posed by the spectre of concussion and dementia among former players on one hand, and financial turmoil on the other.
Fixtures must be cut and better organised. A strict limit of three Tests per autumn window would be a start and any new event such as a world club cup can only happen if other games are shelved.