At last minnows will have their chances

IT’S an ill wind that blows no good. I’ve been listening to the howls of indignation recently over the “premature” World Cup draw three years ago which has resulted in the top five sides in the world, on current rankings, being lumped on one side of the draw but, unlike some, I am sanguine about the prospect. In fact, and I know this makes me a bad person, I welcome it.

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

 

Barring massive upsets, France and New Zealand will be meeting either South Africa, Ireland or indeed Scotland in two of the four quarter-finals. One highly rated team won’t make the quarters and another two won’t make the semi-finals. Meanwhile, who knows who might emerge from the second half of the draw.

Now, as somebody who longs for the day that Ireland finally do themselves justice in the World Cup, I understand, to an extent, the gnashing of teeth and cursing sotto voce of many... but actually, as a rugby fan generally, I am not the slightest bit bothered. Indeed, I am more than a little amused that the rugby blazers, in their attempt to micromanage everything and ensure the big names always get a smooth passage to the later stages with their elaborate seeded draws, have messed up on this occasion.

Let’s be quite clear here, historically Rugby World Cup is set up to mitigate against the chances of major upsets and the minnows progressing. That is not the idea at all, heaven forbid. Just five nations have ever reached the final – New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, England and France – and only the first four have won the Webb Ellis trophy. It’s the most intimate of cosy clubs.