Big beasts need to set the right mood

SO where did the last four years go? The final warm-up matches are over yet it seems only yesterday that England got delayed on their way to the World Cup final in Japan, hurried through their warm up and the coin toss and then lost to a Springboks team that saved its very best for last. Some are still replaying that match in their minds, it seems so raw and recent.

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

The reality is that much water has gone under the bridge, for a start we had never heard of Covid this time four years ago with the pandemic changing the rugby landscape dramatically. Big clubs have been lost, finances have suffered everywhere, competitions have been reshaped to reflect the new norm.

Yet each World Cup increasingly seems to bounce into the next one. The eyes of the rugby community are so focused on the World Cup that time between tournaments seems strangely compressed, which is both a strength and a weakness.

Rugby World Cup is our sport’s shop window, we must get it right on and off the field. We need the reffing to be precise, clear cut and law based – not quirky and inconsistent. Ditto the disciplinary system that follows. No rogue decisions that appear to favour one team over another, one tier over another.

Ideally, we need teams to win via positive tactics not negative; ball mainly in hand not a kick fest that pleases only the coaches. We want full houses being entertained and enjoying themselves. The rugby tourist deserves to relish the full rugby experience which is half the attraction of this sport. The newcomer or neutral should be wowed and won over for life.

We want, and will get, a glimpse of new stars and poster boys whether they are playing for the big boys or minnows. A few more smiles from the galacticos would be nice and it would be great to see rugby take off again as a TV sport a la 2003.