Rugby Provincial Team World Championship

[ChargerWA]

Fox is replaying a Top14 game from a few weeks ago with Toulon V Clermont. The line ups in both these clubs is mouth watering (Giteau, Wilkinson, Smith, Nalaga, Sivivatu, Botha, James). It got me to thinking about how these NH teams would go against the S15 clubs.

While logisitically a nightmare, it would be sensational to see Clermont V Crusaders or Reds V Harlequins.

I wonder if it has ever been investigated by the governing bodies? Even if it was run as a once every 4 year deal in the middle of world cup years. They could reduce the number of internationals and the number of provincial games to open up an 8 game window for this one year. They should play the games at the local clubs grounds across the NH and SH. One of the biggest factors to overcome would be the problem of the seasons running at different times of year, but I guess it would mean teams from one hemisphere would be going into their next season as the other hemispheres teams finish. But we see this already with the 20/20 cricket and Asian premiership leagues in Soccer, so it isn't insurmountable.

Despite the numerous logistical issues that would need to be overcome, it would be a bloody interesting contest.

 

[Bardon]

Could definitely see a one off game each year between the HEC and S15 winners. But I think the clubs in the NH already play too much rugby to fit in another competition. Although like soccer it probably depends, big soccer teams in Europe complained about having to play too many games when they compete in domestic leagues ad cups but at the same time they lobbied for a format change to the champions league so that there were more games.

I guess it comes down to if this was a money spinner they will probably find a way. But then it could be the start of a select group of clubs getting richer and eventually other clubs being unable to compete.

The financial issues and possible rise of club power this might bring about, the prospect of seeing those teams competing against one another is mouth watering.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Maybe if you took the S15, T14, Aviva and Heineken champs you could have a round robin of sorts? Something to do in January.

 

[Bardon]

Up here January is one of the busiest months with all the domestic leagues in actions, 2 round of HEC and then in the final week of the month all top tier competitions with the exception of the LV Cup are suspended as players are with their national squads for the start of the 6Ns.

With the current season schedule it would be very hard to find a window for the NH clubs as the season is so much longer than the S15 one.

 

[farva]

Up here January is one of the busiest months with all the domestic leagues in actions, 2 round of HEC and then in the final week of the month all top tier competitions with the exception of the LV Cup are suspended as players are with their national squads for the start of the 6Ns.

With the current season schedule it would be very hard to find a window for the NH clubs as the season is so much longer than the S15 one.

And I think thats the problem. The ideal time would be at the end of the H Cup which is very close to the end of Super rugby. But then that is the international window, so the top players would be available then.

Would be great to see though.