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Pushing forward with his move to establish a ‘League of Nations’ World Rugby Vice Chairman Agustín Pichot has further criticized the existing set-up.
The former Pumas captain told L’Equipe that the big countries benefit from the small ones and that there is no solidarity. He seeks to change this by bringing about greater equilibrium to the global game.
The existing models sees the host union taking the profits. Japan’s players received $18 a day while the opposition, England were making $32,000 per match.
Pichot detailed his proposal to L’Equipe. It represents not only a shake-up to the global playing order but also to the economic institutions. His economic reforms would bring about greater financial equity, a considerable improvement for a sport which is booming worldwide.
If Pichot got his way the idea of the League of Nations would contain 36 countries. They would be divided into three divisions and have a system of promotion and relegation. Yet reports indicate that the most powerful countries are not interested in implementing such a model or in giving up part of their intake from gate sales.
The Americas would be heavily represented in the proposal with at least six countries involved. On current world rankings this would mean the following:
A (1st-12th)- New Zealand, Ireland, Wales, England, South Africa, Australia, Scotland, Fiji, France, Argentina, Japan, USA.
B (13th-24th)- Georgia, Tonga, Italy, Samoa, Uruguay, Romania, Russia, Canada, Spain, Namibia, Netherlands, Hong Kong
C (25th-36th) – Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Brazil, Chile, South Korea, Switzerland, Kenya, Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Colombia.
In the recent November Internationals there were full attendances in locations such as London, Dublin, and Edinburgh while France, and Italy both had problems in selling-out their home matches.
Neither of France’s matches in Paris against Fiji or South Africa were full. Italy vs New Zealand was at an 82,000 venue yet 53,204 were in attendance. Australia’s home Bledisole Cup fixture against New Zealand drew 66,318 supporters this year. It was 9,000 up from 2017 but did not approach capacity.
Finding a way of improving attendances is part of the equation for Pichot. Combining this with financial fairness is the other. Indeed England, France, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales each hosted a Tier 2 team in November with the visitors receiving no part of the generated profits.
