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.
Denne historien er fra August 27, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra August 27, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.