Thread: Moving Rugby forward

The article below is an extract from a Rugby pundits views on how to move the game
of Rugby.

'As for Australia....... Their Rugby League Team[world cup],then their Cricket Team[Ashes] and now their Union Team can't win a game in the Tri-nations.Some
people think the Tri-nations is a joke anyway,we should permit Japan & Argentina
to play in this tournament.Or the Oceanic Islands of Fiji,Western Samoa and Tonga.
If they don't join up how is the the World Cup going to be truly competitive ?
We should also extend the 6 Nations,and have Romania and Spain join.'

I'm not in complete agreement with his 'vision',but would be interested in
YOUR VIEWS.
He also strong views about would should happen to the Guinness Premiership!
will post that later

I think stopping the antipodean authorities meddling with the rules in an effort to make their teams more dominant would be a good start.

A joint Pacific Islands team would be a good addition to the Tri-Nations, but as all the Arges play in Europe, having them join wouldn't be very feasible, despite its attractiveness. Also, having the largest rugby federation join the Tri-Nations would be a bit like when Italy joined the 5 Nations, but Japan would only improve over time.

There's already the Pacific Cup for the Island Nations and Japan. Junior ABs also play. Aus A and Maori used to as well, but pulled out recently.

Combined Island team would work well in the 3N, but then you have to pull them apart again come World Cup time. Better to have them playing as a team unit for their countries in the Pacific Cup. Or have the combined Island team as a legitimate side for the WC. Can't have it both ways.

Originally Posted by Plan B

Better to have them playing as a team unit for their countries in the Pacific Cup. Or have the combined Island team as a legitimate side for the WC. Can't have it both ways.

True.

I guess they should play as separate nations, but they would need a lot of financial support from the 'big 3' down there which would mean they'd have to stop being such a bunch of selfish wankers.

When they say a 'combined island' team, I assume they mean Australia, New Zealand and other such places like Tasmania? If so, this may go some way to evening things up.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Plan B

Better to have them playing as a team unit for their countries in the Pacific Cup. Or have the combined Island team as a legitimate side for the WC. Can't have it both ways.

True.

I guess they should play as separate nations, but they would need a lot of financial support from the 'big 3' down there which would mean they'd have to stop being such a bunch of selfish wankers.

Yes, all the money that the NZRFU currently provides W.Samoa and Tonga in particular, plus coaches and the majority of their squads, is a bit mean and tight-fisted.

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

Yes, all the money that the NZRFU currently provides W.Samoa and Tonga in particular, plus coaches and the majority of their squads, is a bit mean and tight-fisted.

Does the NZRFU represent the other 'big 2' as well?

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

Right, interlude from the clueless Chav (isn't there some football on you should be watching??) having been dispensed with, back on topic...

Combined Island team would work well in the 3N, but then you have to pull them apart again come World Cup time. Better to have them playing as a team unit for their countries in the Pacific Cup.

I agree with that. The PI team was good for getting some players exposure and experience at the highest levels but you're talking 3 vastly different countries with their own identitities. Besides, hasn't it been disbanded already? I vaguely recall hearing something about Fiji pulling out?

Whatever the answer for Islands rugby is it's not an easy one. I do think that a team in the S14 would be a good stepping-stone though.

Agree on above; the concept of Fiji/Tonga/Samoa {and Niue, Tokelau also have teams, and off the top of Oz (-ish) Papua New Guinea did, but unsure now?} may sound good from afar, but there are huge obstacles, please don't comment on all PI people as if they're the same; huge cultural, language and traditional differences, as well as issues around transport - they don't just 'pop over' to visit one another the Pacific is a big place.