What a difference a week makes.
Last Monday, the World Cup was expecting the semifinals to include all three SANZAR teams, but no Six Nations representatives. Then England upset Australia and tournament favorite New Zealand once more stumbled against the French.
The surprising turn of events undoubtedly delighted the tournament's business managers.
The final four not only features the rejuvenated hosts against their biggest rival -- happily located just across the Channel -- but also boasts three 'big market' teams. England, France, and South Africa are far more sizable countries than Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, and conveniently the Africans are in the same time zone as western Europe.
The main reason world rugby would like the United States to succeed also is commercial. Their game is more valuable if it can gain a foothold in our sports market.
Hopes for Japan are much the same, but the IRB's motivation for helping the other 'Tier 2' countries is rather different. Canada, Fiji, Romania, Samoa, and Tonga are seen as having more of a rugby legacy.
Argentina once would have been classified in this group, and indeed considered joining the old Pacific Rim. Now the question is whether the Six Nations or the Tri Series is a better fit.
So far as playing rugby goes, it is interesting to note that the Eagles turned in credible performances against three of the semifinalists over the past four years.
In 2004, the Eagles led the Tricolors at half in Hartford, and pressured the Six Nations champs all the way in a 39-31 loss. The following year, Glasgow (now Saracens) wing Francisco Leonelli slipped by fullback Francois Viljoen to score an injury-time try, giving the Pumas a 34-30 Churchill Cup win. Of course, the 2007 World Cup has seen a close match with England and a lopsided result against South Africa.
Such results will now be watched more closely by the IRB and, thankfully, our own management too.
Not sure about South Africa being a big market team in comparison with Australia/New Zealand.Bear in mind that although South Africa is a fanatical rugby country,it is still played primarily by a relatively small proportion of the total population..that is the white population..(maybe 4 to 6 million).. the black population,I think, are more interested in soccer.Anyone know any better?
Posted by: Paul | 08 October 2007 at 08:01
The so called coloreds(mixed race) & xhosa tribe of Eastern Cape are rugby die hards,so add a few million to your total.Not sure what is a big rugby market,but remember that rugby union in Australia is way behind Australian Rules footie,and rugby league also has a following in New Zealand & Australia,so their market is somewhat diluted.
Like the All Blacks,the Springboks are a world wide brand that attracts rugby people in any country, so that may add to the t.v.market picture.
Posted by: roland maitland | 08 October 2007 at 09:04
Chuck Norris says - the Springboks as we know them will be gone by 2011.
The world will never see a Springbok team again like the current one - enjoy them while you can!
Sa government plans on replacing the Boks through racial profiling and renaming them the "Proteas".
Chuck wishes them the best, but Chuck thinks you will see more young SA rugby talent moving overseas.
SA produces magnificent U19 rugby talent, and the Currie Cup molds that talent into very marketable twenty-plus-year-olds.
SA has a bleak future job wise. Young ruggers pursuing professional contracts will move to Europe, Australia and NZ. Those that can will try America too.
All these countries give them a future beyond rugby, and a secure, safe and prosperous base to build a family and a future.
Posted by: Chuck Norris | 08 October 2007 at 12:09
Having just watched the final 1/4 final match; I gotta put South Africa as the big favorites.
Not becuase of their skill or size or tradition; because they play to win.
Aside from SA, Fiji and maybe England, all quaterfinal teams were "playing not to lose" rugby. Especially, the All Blacks, sure the referee's were bad and a few decent calls would have reversed the result. There was no reason that game should have even been close; McCaw and Collins seemed to be the only one's aware that they were playing for keeps.
Kurt, I liked the positive aproach of this blog post.....
Posted by: old beaver | 08 October 2007 at 12:59
Japan has a healthy professional rugby league (Top League) and a cup final (Microsoft Cup), which is well supported by fans and the media. All the IRB had to do in Japan is let them host the 2011 World Cup. The Japanese people would have supported it like the French have this year's WC, and with existing infrastructure and currency valuation it would have been a very profitable WC. Nothing against NZ, but they do not have the currency valuation, infrastructure and public support to host the WC. It should have gone to Japan.
Posted by: TJ | 08 October 2007 at 14:19
Old Beaver says - ( and I can't quite believe it either) ahem!..."TJ is perfectly correct on that last post. Every word of it"
Old Beaver wishes the IRB would get out of the old boys club.
2011 would have been the perfect year for a new blood RWC.
Old Beaver would give everyone a Total Dam fitness machine if they could change it.
Posted by: old beaver | 08 October 2007 at 16:10
Chuck Norris says - too funny:
Downcast Kiwi sports fans have shown their humorous side in the face of the weekend's disappointing Rugby World Cup exit with attempts to sell the All Blacks, the referee and the IRB team on Trade Me.
This morning Trade Me pulled one ad offering the All Blacks team with bids having reached $11 - just a day after their shock quarterfinal exit from the tournament in France.
However, by early this afternoon, another had appeared purporting to sell a "used All Black team". It was also withdrawn this afternoon by Trade Me.
The seller, listed in Huntly, had said the team was "fully reconditioned earlier this year, and all parts rotated.
"Unfortunately the choke is stuck on full.
"Pickup from Auckland Airport."
One person, who had bid $1 asked that it be withdrawn as a cheaper model had just been secured at Sydney Airport for 50c while the seller declined a trade for a lemon, stating the "taste in my mouth is already too strong".
Queried whether the team came with "cotton wool" the seller said packaging had already been donated to the thousands of unfortunate supporters who paid their hard earned money to watch them. "But please note - this isn't the gutless model, it is the brainless model ... worth considerably less ... the dumbest All Black team ever!"
The seller also added: "Never before has so much been given to so few in return for so little."
Also listed have auctions for the referee Wayne Barnes and the credibility of the IRB.
The IRB "seller" said he was "not expecting this to sell for much, as it's a bit old and runs pretty unpredictably. As a result I wouldn't buy it expecting that you'll be able to turn the game into a truly international sport such as football, as its pretty convoluted."
The seller then listed numerous faults with the IRB from the refereeing appointment to colour clashes with jerseys and added they didn't have the heart to fix it.
The earlier listing attempting to sell the All Blacks, posted by "surferboy83" from Manukau in Auckland read "Used All Blacks, damaged, emotional, heart broken, selling due to needing a new team to win for NZ in 2011. Grab a bargin (sic). Note whole team will be sold as a group."
Questions posted for this auction queried whether buyers would get value for money.
"Starting bid of $1 is a bit steep isn't it?", one person queried.
Another asked whether refunds would be given for defective goods, but the seller responded the team was being sold "as is where is".
Individually up for sale were Neemia Tialata and Jerry Collins - "brand new, never used".
Fans - no doubt hoping to forget the whole sad event - were also quick to put memorabilia up for sale.
A "wet and limp" All Blacks flag was described as being limp like the team it represented and wet like the "wet fish referee" we had to endure.
Another flag was described as being damp from wiping tears and came with suggested new uses, including tying French legs together, blindfolding the English, shoving in the referee's mouth or cleaning the touch judges' glasses.
For those trying to keep things in perspective badges can be purchased, featuring a picture of the elusive Web Ellis trophy and the words "It's Just a Stupid Cup (I'm dying inside)".
Posted by: Chuck Norris | 08 October 2007 at 20:33
What is the difference between Graham Henry and a half tablet of Viagra?
With a half tablet of Viagra at least you get a semi.
Posted by: tj | 08 October 2007 at 22:58
Eden Park is getting a new surface made of card board...... why? the all blacks always play better on paper!
Posted by: doug lyons | 09 October 2007 at 07:14
What's the difference between the All Blacks and a tea bag?
The tea bag stays in the cup longer.
Posted by: JD | 09 October 2007 at 08:29
How do you keep the Irish off your lawn?
Put up goal posts?
I know it doesn't fit, but it's funny!
Posted by: old beaver | 09 October 2007 at 10:18