Headhunter99 says...

I'm reading all of this with interest, there are lots of good comments and suggestions and a few " I couldn't give a s**t about the smaller nations " which I find really pathetic.

Forgetting all that how about introducing a plate competition at the next RWC with 80% of all revenue generated going into a pool for smaller nation development or tour assistance. Apart from the money benefit it would allow the minnows who don't get past the pool stages play more international rugby in major stadia.

Posted 10:20 20th July 2012

APV1 says...

@ Waz4before - I'm certainly not suggesting that Fiji deserve special treatment. I just think that there should be a system where struggling touring parties could apply for assistance (maybe there is and I just don't know about it...).

The assistance could be helping them get their business model together to make a more profitable union. Or, as I mentioned before, introducing them to potential sponsors. It doesn't have to be just a bundle of cash.

It is a moot point, as rico rightly pointed out. But it was the principle that I was trying to get to.

Posted 15:22 19th July 2012

Waz4before says...

@ porridge_time & APV1 -- your arguments don't make sense; the majority of rugby fans want to see sides like these tour on a regular basis ... but you talk as if the IRB has a bottomless pit of money, which it doesn't, and if you've seen the IRB's development program in action you'll know there's a lot of money being invested in Rugby in an awful lot of places - funding Fiji would take money from somewhere else and that would be unfair to others. Are there other options, possibly but the IRB can't be expected to fund raise/introduce sponsors for every nation, or are you suggesting Fiji get special treatment over say a georgia, Canada, or the USA and so on ... where would you draw the line - it's tough but the world is a tough place financially right now.

Posted 11:00 19th July 2012

APV1 says...

@ GoWalesGo - my initial comment was:

"What an opportunity for the IRB to literally put their money where their mouth is. Let's help Fiji cover their tour expenses, even by helping them secure a sponsor. Surely that's part of develoment for a "Tier 2" nation..?"

No criticism there! I even suggested that the IRb help them secure sponsorship, not just fund the tour.

But finally you've actually managed to put together a sensible argument and one that I whole-heartedly agree with. Instead of just saying "No, Fiji shouldn't have it.", you've actually demonstrated that you can put a sensible and reasoned argument together.

Thank you.

And I agree - I don't want the IRB's money p!$$ed into the wind any more than you do. But I do like to see Fiji (and every other nation) develop. And that's where we also agree.

All I suggested was that this might be a good opportunity for the IRB to help out a struggling national touring side. Not that no-one else deserves assistance, nor that this should just a be a hand-out.

Finally your reasoned argument makes you seem a little less selfish and a little more thoughtful.

Posted 17:18 18th July 2012

APV1 says...

@ GoWalesGo - and many others may want help too. That's exactly my point. The IRB should be assisting these struggling nations to develop, not let them wallow in the mire. And an international tour must be good for a team, regardless of their current ability.

And it stops when there's a much more level playing field and / or the money runs out.

The National Lottery Fund in England (as an example) has an application process for "worthy causes" to apply for funding. It's this kind of model that I would hope to see at the IRB: Fiji would have to apply for funding / assistance and demonstrate the benefits of them being awarded it. Not just a handout, but assistance with a demontrative benefit.

Why are you so against helping others? Do you not want rugby to grow globally? Do you feel that it is unfair that the successful have to "give" to those who are less successful?

I genuinely do not understand your point of view and "Yawn." is a pretty childish retort.

Posted 14:18 18th July 2012

APV1 says...

@ GoWalesGo - I'm not suggesting that it is a charity. But what you seem to be advocating is letting all other nations suffer and never develop, as long as "We're all right, Jack!". What a shame that you'd rather rugby was an exclusive and minor sport, as opposed to a global sport for all to enjoy.

I must say, I find your attitude and that of others who support your point of view, very difficult to reconcile. On one hand there's great support for the globalisation of the sport, for the emergence of developing nations (Romania, Russia, USA, Kenya, Madagascar, Thailand, etc); and on the other there's your point of view which is:

"Tough luck - if you can't afford the game, then don't play!"

I think your attitude is selfish and insular and I don't like it. But, then again, I don't have to.

I'm fairly sure that the Welsh farmers are happy to accept their subsidies and were very upset when one of them was removed last year. But who cares, eh? It's only Wales and if they can't afford to farm, tough!

What a shame that you think so lowly of developing rugby nations that you would rather not help them and keep the spoils in the top tier.

Posted 10:11 18th July 2012

APV1 says...

Let me just copy and paste this directly from the IRB's site and ask that you read the 7th line:

"IRB Organisation

The International Rugby Board (IRB) was founded in 1886. With its headquarters in Dublin, the IRB is the world governing and Law making body for the Game of Rugby Union. The IRB has several main functions including:

Governance of the Laws and Regulations and their enforcement

Tournament owners and managers

Global game development through Member Unions funding via grants and Strategic Investment programmes, and delivery of Education & Development programmes

Game promotion"

In other words, it's one of their publicised four "main functions" to do this.

Posted 11:45 17th July 2012

tha_mai says...

tokyojb . . . and here's the result Thailand 42 India 29, played in a warm 34C on Saturday. A front page colour photo in the major Thai national daily newspaper. Next step is three matches in seven days against Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei.

Posted 00:49 16th July 2012

porridge_time says...

Waz4before...

So its all about profit then... tell you what why don't we all just agree to centralise all rugby to Europe and the SH nations can act as feeders to the European Super League?

The IRB by and large do a reasonable good job, but I think if they can help Argentina gain entry to the Rugby Championship and help fund the setting up of a professional domestic league in Argentina. Then they can put some money in the coffers to allow the Pacific Island Nations to tour. The reason the likes of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga should be aided is because the have given world rugby a lot in recent times.

Posted 02:38 15th July 2012

GoWalesGo says...

Waz4before

Agree

Posted 13:16 14th July 2012