Rugby
1News

World Rugby consider Test calendar shake up, propose 'League of Nations' concept

September 25, 2018
Autumn International, Twickenham, London 8/11/2014  
England vs New Zealand All Blacks
New Zealand's Ryan Crotty is held up short
Photo: James Crombie/www.photosport.co.nz

In a radical shake-up of the Test rugby calendar, World Rugby are considering implementing a 'World League' concept to give meaning to the international game.

Based on European football's UEFA Nations League, a proposal of a 12-team league pitting northern hemisphere sides against their southern counterparts, in order to do away with meaningless series' between countries.

Teams would be split into four groups of three, with teams playing three pool matches, before a semi-final, and final. A different host country would hold each pool's matches

French outlet Midi Olympique reported that World Rugby vice-chairman Agustin Pichot had pitched the concept to NZR CEO Steve Tew, as well as French and South African counterparts, Bernard Laporte and Jurie Roux.

The move would see both the Rugby Championship and Six Nations competitions remain intact, however it would do away with the June and November windows.

Such a move would see Super Rugby and the northern hemisphere club season run interrupted.

"If you ask me as a businessman, the business side of it is not working," Pichot told The Guardian  earlier this month.

"If you ask me as the playing side, it's not working. Is the international game under threat? I think it is. Look at the balance sheets of some nations and you can see exactly where we stand."

If the current world standings were to be implemented, the likes of Fiji, Tonga and Japan would join the northern and southern hemisphere nations, giving the supposed minnows more opportunities against the top tier. 

SHARE ME

More Stories