Rugby Union: How Wales Help Make the World Cup Less Like Eurovision Song Contest
Ball In Touch: Our rugby columnist Jeff Ball explains why Wales’ decision to tour the Pacific Islanders by 2017 is a big step in the right direction.
Ball In Touch: Our rugby columnist Jeff Ball explains why Wales decision to tour the Pacific Islanders by 2017 is a big step in the right direction. Join us on Twitter @BallInTouch to continue the discussion about this and moreGoing The Extra Mile As I was browsing the IRBs world rankings (as you do), the list of international rugby teams there suggests that rugby is indeed a global game. Half of the worlds countries apparently plays rugby, with 93 member unions being topped by New Zealand and bottomed by Finland, with the powerhouses of Luxembourg and Vanuatu not far off. No, I hadnt heard of it either -Vanuatu is about 1,000 miles East of Australia with a population of about 250,000, the same as Derby (Thanks Wikipedia). Anyway, I digress. The point I was trying to make is that with rugby being played in the four corners of the globe (hate that phrase how can a globe have corners? Sorry, digressing again) then to someone from outside our cosy rugby world, they will no doubt be perplexed that the list of countries England, the country rugby was officially born in, has toured in since the 98 Tour of Hell reads as follows: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, USA, Argentina. And it must be noted that some of them are one trips, several are repeat visits and some are a flying stop-over in a multi-national trip. Back to our non-rugby friend and the question would undoubtedly be is that it? Yes dear friend that is it, six countries in 14 years and no sight of Vanuatu or the like. Those of us who follow our men in white know the answers of course. The cynical response is: it all comes down to money, the non-cynical: the lower nations dont represent enough of a challenge or have the resources to host a big side. The actual answer is probably somewhere in the middle, but realistically it is because the big sides are a bit selfish. So lets stop being selfish and being idealistic for a moment. Surely as one of the leaders of the global game it is Englands responsibility to do what it can to grow and develop the game in places of untapped potential? We just have to look at how football is growing in Asia to see the opportunities. We arent alone, all the big sides stick to the same well trodden tours, taking turns to visit each other for the Summer Tours or Autumn Internationals .It is the same faces playing each other again and again. And that is why the ultimate competition, the World Cup, is a bit like the Eurovision Song Contest. Everyone must qualify, except the big sides who just have to turn up on the day and despite there being a lot of teams to pick from, there are only a few realistically who can win it. And everyone hates the English. Its all a bit cosy and it is an attitude that is perpetuated in the four years between tournaments the big boys wont play with the little kids unless it is in their backyard with their ball. Thats why Wales decision to tour the Pacific Islands of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji are a big step that should be applauded and encouraged. Admittedly we may have to wait until 2017 for it to happen, the fact the WRFU has publicly stated its intentions is a step in the right direction and makes it unlikely they will go back on their word. Every World Cup the minnows tag comes out, as do the talks about having a two tier competition. This is regularly shot down but it is understandable why it is voiced we operate in a two tier international game, with even your most dedicated rugby fan unable to name more than one or two of the big players of the likes of Russia or Portugal off the top of their head, despite both featuring in recent tournaments.