The Rugby World Cup closes its second day of groups and results are beginning to be observed that mark trends and dynamics from which more or less categorical readings and conclusions can be drawn. The main one is that Rugby geopolitics are changing, probably to the disappointment of the Home Unions and the apostolic leaders of World Rugby who always look askance at the new neighbors of the community.
This World Cup, which had peculiarities at the beginning, as the matches go by, predictions are confirmed, sensations are accentuated and surprises appear that were not included in the predictions. For a start The good role of those forgotten nations in the Tier 2 drawer is confirmed, where another step would also have to be generated for the nations of Tier 1 and a half and 2 and a half, taking three.
The rebellion of Tier 1… and a half
Japan and Fiji are not invited to sit at the Tier 1 table and the Tier 2 table is too small for them. Two nations that have been growing in recent times with the implementation of a structure that has generated results as a consequence.
Fiji is the team that has made the least profit from World Rugby’s ‘quid pro quo’ with the play-off of the All Blacks by its island nations after collecting their votes for Beaumont. The Fijians, who have less than a million inhabitants, They have built a franchise (Fijian Drua) that has competitively united the group and they have given the baton of command to Simon Raiwalui, local coach with experience in France who knows perfectly the idiosyncrasies of his team and has turned them into a disciplined team (seven shots to Australia’s 18) within his expansive game. Very powerful in contact and with a more than respectable scrum, their deficit is a disastrous touch and a hinge without hierarchy. The scrum-half Simione Kuruvoli has taken the team on board, after Caleb Muntz’s injury in the 10th. They lost suspiciously against Wales, but they got two bonus points, and they beat Australia 69 years later in a match that they dominated from end to end . For this reason, Wales-Australia will be key and there the bonus points can put them in the quarterfinals. Fiji has turned open rugby into a very physically demanding one for rivals.
Japan’s growth, for its part, is based on a powerful and wealthy league in which companies recruit stars to increase the competitiveness of local players. To that they addThe team is committed to a dynamic rugby that fits perfectly into the Japanese idiosyncrasy, being also a respectable team in contact and worthy in the ‘set-piece’ (‘melé’ and ‘touch’). He needs to climb a step to get into the quarterfinals, but he sells his skin dearly. Japan offers an industrial volume of play with a XV in which there are many interchangeable players of similar conditions without the level being affected. But They lack differential and dominant names that condition the matches and make them take the next step. What the British call X Factor.
The explosion of South America
Argentina has championed the exponential growth of the South American region, becoming the driving force of a rugby in which Uruguay and Chile have taken advantage of their inertia. The Pumas, beyond the doubts due to the defeat against England, are already part of the Wolrd Rugby aristocracy, reaching the semifinals ahead of some Home Unions whom they subdue naturally. The creation of the High Performance structure of Sudamérica Rugby and the Super Rugby Americas competition have been decisive so that teams like Uruguay generate a professional competitive context. If Argentina showed the way in 2007, left to its own devices without playing the Rugby Championship or Super Rugby, in 2019 the Charrúas marked another milestone by beating Fiji. And this World Cup the focus is on Chile, debutant after leaving the US on the way to France.
There is a recognizable pattern in the rugby of Pumas, Teros and Cóndores. A supportive game in defense and aggressive in attack in which effort is not negotiable. There is courage in their offensive proposals and enormous commitment without the ball. His rugby also has an emotional point which is explained from the sense of identity of some teams that are a priority for these players, in many cases amateurs (except the Argentinians). Something that doesn’t happen in other countries. That resilience is being reflected in the play of a Chile that has stood up to Japan (42-12) and Samoa (43-10). In a Uruguay that beyond fighting against France’s B unit (27-10), created serious problems. Rugby with powerful contact and a lot of heart. Rugby with intelligent scrum-half, brave centres, sharp wings and hard-working forwards. Selections that are performing above what many had planned. Uruguay announced that it wants to seal a direct ticket for the next World Cup, which forces it to beat Namibia and Italy. Ambitious plan, which after the match with France is credible. Spain periodically beats this Uruguay that is running to beat an Italy from which we are light years away. But it remains to be seen if they don’t win it and Hourcade has already landed in France to help prepare for this match, the next one on his calendar, which will be his World Cup final.
Portugal and Georgia, the face
Within the limitations of each other, the Lobos and the Lelos have left the field with a smile. And that means not only that they have given everything, but that they have also enjoyed having the almond in their hands. Despite being defeated, the Georgians strained Australia’s vertebrae (35-15) to which they put two tries ahead and were able to score another two. While Portugal conceded an honorable victory (28-8) against Wales, making three-quarters of the dragons work and scoring a touch try that will be among the best in the World Cup. Tough, enthusiastic, committed… Competitive and worthy results that suggest that more games against Tier 1 rivals would do them both a lot of good. But World Rugby is not interested in emerging countries questioning the Status Quo. Georgia has been knocking on the door for years, not only with its senior team, and no one answers on the other side. It is good news that Georgia and Portugal emerge stronger from this World Cup. For them, for rugby and even for Spain.
Romania and Namibia, the cross
Romania is for many the great disappointment of the World Cup. And it’s strange because it was known that We are facing one of the most mediocre Robles teams in recent years. They do not dominate up front, where Georgia, Spain and Russia have subjected them in recent times. His performance against South Africa was painful. The Springboks did not have to display their best rugby, nor get into the rhythm of the game to win (76-0), playing second and without pressing so as not to reach the centenary of points conceded and stain the World Cup with an ugly result.
If Romania is bad, Namibia is as usual. A team that monopolizes the African space that World Rugby provides to the black continent. Other votes that were decisive in Beaumont’s victory over Pichot. Africa is ‘directed’ by the French through their tentacles in the north of the continent, but at a sporting level these teams still do not have the level to knock down a Namibia that becomes a South Africa C or D, and with that it is enough to go edition after edition to the World Cup. The cheapest place in the World Cup.
Marketing of Samoa and Tonga
The delivery of their votes to the current head of World Rugby, in exchange for being able to recycle the Polynesian and Melanesian ‘all blacks’ for their teams, has increased the expectations of these two Tier 2 teams, usually burdened because many of their players are tied to club contracts that prevent them from being selectable. The appearance of Sopoaga, Piutau or Fekitoa invited many to be optimistic. But they are selections that are more about Barbarians than teams. Groups that meet once every four years. It doesn’t seem like they are going to climb any steps despite having elite-level players. Vote marketing has not served to gain competitiveness even in the short term, which was the purpose.
The absent Spain
Playing to guess what results Spain would be getting if it had gone to the World Cup is fabulous. And we won’t do it here. What I do propose is What model will the Lions, or rather their leaders, choose to develop our rugby. We have spent years settling into a short-termism that has brought us closer to the World Cups without leaving any structures or legacy. Calling players who increase the level of the team punctually with the well-known passport dance and without generating a routine for those who come. Option that rests on the sacrifice and commitment of players who are heroes or villains as the only planning. The other option, which is the path that FER seems to be starting, is betting on the medium term with ingredients such as young people with proven talent (the Trophy champions), high-level nationalizable players and, above all, putting together a structure that does not exist in the Spanish rugby and the national team because there are no resources.
Precisely Now that we have to start from the bottom and without money, because there is not a euro in Ferraz’s coffers, it is time to think about what we want to be and in what mirror we want to look at ourselves.. Yes, in Uruguay, which has had two World Cups in a row, beaten Fiji, beaten France and aspires to seal its ticket for the next World Cup. Yes, in Fiji with that franchise that brings together its players and putting a local coach in charge. If we look at the Black Lion franchise as a reference, at the Cóndors or at these Wolves with more pride than means… Be that as it may, in this World Cup the ‘little ones’ are showing their face. In this World Cup in which Spain had to reappear We must rejoice in those humble triumphs, in how those minor teams shake the pillars of the centenary leadership of the Home Unions and open the windows so it smells less like mothballs. But If anyone has something important at stake these days, it is precisely us. What do we want to be? What do we want to play?
2023-09-18 12:48:49
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