RWC! Well done to Japan tonight! the minnows are surely putting up a fight against the big guys in this RWC?

Question

What bothers me, is I have witnessed many a minnow teams fighting the big boys!

WTF does this tell you!

There are teams out there who want to be recognised in the rugby world!

Surely the IRB should be promoting the game by encouraging countries to qualify, not having to decrease the numbers who want to play!

Over 90 countries tried to qualify for this years RWC!

WTF does this tell you!

There are teams out there who want to be recognised and the IRB wants to decrease the number of teams in the RWC!

WTF????????????

Answer 1

I agree, and I would be very dissapointed if the IRB reduce the competition to 16 teams instead of 20 in 2011. At this rate why not make it 24 teams, we don't know who else out there not in the cup can play with the passion and pride similar to teams such as Portugal, Namibia, Gerogia etc etc... who to date have given some of the so called 'big boys' a huge fright

Answer 2

I totally agree in respect to the format they are proposing for the 2011 tournament, ridiculous.

They should look to increasing the format to 32. Have the top 16 seeds in 4 groups and the next 16 in the other 4 groups. This would guarantee 8 of the smaller seeded nations qualifying, thus promoting interest in the game in minor rugby nation countries.

Having these smaller nations would expose Union to a lot more viewers and therefore more profit for the tournament through advertising etc.etc.

Just a thought.

Answer 3

I am in total agreement with you, it is as if they trying to keep lower ones for reasons that is beyond me............could be a class thing ot they just want the top 5 to stay the same for ever?

Shocking!

Answer 4

I was pretty sure the minnows would get pummelled as well. Turns out I was wrong.

I don't agree that the IRB have a winning formula though. Is it a winning formula when the scheduling is so biased.

It's amazing that the so called minnows can compete, considering for example, Georgia played Argentina and Ireland withing 4 days. Japan played 4 games in 16 days. Scotland are going to face the All Blacks with a 'B' team. The big 5 teams haven't had to worry about that though. My beloved New Zealand won't have less than 6 days between any of their games.

Anyone would think the IRB wanted to see the top ranked teams in the semis at all costs. Rather than hard fought losses we could see some actual upsets by these so-called minnows.

Rugby will only become a global game when the IRB allows it to happen. We have seen that the level between the teams isn't the difference, it's the opportunities to succeed.

People want to see upsets.

Answer 5

.From little acorns grow big oak trees---sides like Canada,Samoa and others started with big defeats but they are nobodies whipping boys any more The more the merrier i say

Answer 6

i thought at the start that there were to many teams and there would be huge mismatches but i have been proved wrong.

all the matches i have watched have been highly enjoyable and i do find myself cheering on the minnows - except when Ireland are playing, hold on maybe i do cheer on the minnows when Ireland are playing. there have been no easy matches - all the teams have had a moment in the sun and have to something to laugh and boast about when the competition is over.

the IRB have a winning formula - stick with it.

Answer 7

the four weakest teams in the four groups have shown glimpses of what they are capable of but they're still losing by huge margins. What would be best for these teams is to have a seperate 'world plate' where they can show off their skills to the world and play in a competitive tournament that they have a chance of winning.