THIS PLAN FITS THE BILL...
Give smaller nations a chance at top table Reform now or risk losing Olympic status
HISToRICaLLy, we have reached one of the most crucial junctures in the sport’s history.
There is outcry over the game’s governance, smaller nations are sick of being treated like secondclass citizens and the Covid-19 crisis is threatening financial meltdown at club and Test level.
In addition, it is a long time since I can remember such a stand-off between the northern and southern hemispheres. The closeness of the vote at 28-23 (if one Six Nations country had broken rank, Gus Pichot would have won) is a wake-up call for World Rugby and Bill Beaumont as he begins his second four-year term as chairman.
He needs to act, and quickly. The first 100 days is a political term — that window for action after taking office — and Bill and World Rugby should adopt that mindset now.
COMPLETE THE PROMISED GOVERNANCE REVIEW ASAP
IT WouLd be a sign of good faith to those in the rugby and sporting community who have been outraged by the weighted voting system.
It is also necessary if rugby wants to retain its olympic status, which we must not take for granted. The IoC have become very hot on participating sports being democratically governed.
Sir Hugh Robertson must review the entire World Rugby constitution with a view to offering suggestions to make it fairer and more democratic.
It needs to be quick and transparent with everybody in the rugby world able to read and debate its findings.
a time frame should be set. Three months, not far off 100 days, feels about right.
MAKE CLEAR-CUT DECISIONS ON PROJECT PLAYERS AND ELIGIBILITY CHANGES
I dISLIKE the concept of Project players — in fact, I have never met anybody who approves of it — yet still they persist.
Either abolish them or apply the seven-year residency regulations which was suggested years ago and then shelved.
Powerhouse nations like Ireland do not need to be recruiting South africans, while Wales do not need to augment their side with New Zealand centres.
as for allowing players to represent two nations, my heart sank when I read how Northampton’s australia wing Taqele Naiyaravoro wants to be allowed to play for his native Fiji.
No one questions the extra security playing for an established nation could bring and it is possible that Fiji would have a stronger team with returning players — but what sort of message does it send out to players who stay loyal if they know ‘rejects’ from australia, New Zealand and elsewhere will be competing for their places?
It seems to me the biggest beneficiaries will be the Tier one nations, who would then have official licence to take a punt on a project player or somebody with dual qualifications. This will surely only widen the gap.
Sevens shows the potential of the Pacific Island teams if only we can give them a fair crack of the whip at fifteens.
WHAT’S THE PLAN FOR JAPAN, FIJI, GEORGIA AND SAMOA?
JaPaN, Fiji and Samoa voted for Beaumont, so what are they going to get in return? and what are you going to do for Georgia, who constantly have the door slammed in their faces?
These are four countries that are either past World Cup quarter-finalists or could aspire to reaching the World Cup quarter-finals. yet for decades they have found themselves outside of rugby’s mainstream.
How will World Rugby ensure they will be given their chance to join the elite competitions — and also any other nations who come through.
SHOW FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP
RuGBy needs a coherent plan in these difficult times. I’m not sure people have grasped how serious things have become. What you have heard so far is just the tip of the iceberg.
Everybody is sounding off, clubs and countries. Bernard Laporte wants some sort of club championship and I read the Kiwis are even contemplating privately-sponsored New Zealand tours that have the sole purpose of making money.
I’ve seen a World Nations Championship proposed, which still seems to shut the door on any nation in Europe wanting to better itself.
There are suggestions of an extra Six Nations this November,
England have not ruled out touring Japan in october and it seems there are still plans to try and complete the 2020 Six Nations.
and where does club rugby fit into this? and that is all before the Lions tour next summer.
We need a worldwide strategy. World Rugby has to show leadership now, talk to all parties and come up with a post Covid-19 template.
GET PICHOT BACK ON BOARD
THE oldest tradition in our game is the shake of hands and a pint between rivals at the end of battle.
Bill should consider asking Pichot to come back on board in some capacity.
He has the ear and trust of the southern hemisphere and many of the small nations.
ask the argentine to act as their main spokesman or go-between. We need his energy and passion.