Proposed Nations Championship

[sunnyboys]

did any of you read the full article??

"The early proposal also includes a tier-two version of the competition operating at the same time as the major league, with a promotion/relegation system used to decide who swaps in and out of the bottom two spots each year."

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Yeah i'll believe that when i've read the fine print twice.

Yeah, if they do look to set up some kind of revenue share on the gate I suspect that will be the point where things begin to get a little bit more complicated and much of the enthusiasm will begin to cool. The only way around that is if the TV money on offer is tempting enough to make that look palatable.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

did any of you read the full article??

"The early proposal also includes a tier-two version of the competition operating at the same time as the major league, with a promotion/relegation system used to decide who swaps in and out of the bottom two spots each year."

I've read that in several articles. Still needs to happen though.

 

[Derpus]

did any of you read the full article??

"The early proposal also includes a tier-two version of the competition operating at the same time as the major league, with a promotion/relegation system used to decide who swaps in and out of the bottom two spots each year."

Who reads?

Again, I'm skeptical. It means all the teams (except the All Blacks obviously) risk having a shocker season and getting relegated, and losing all of the money as a result.

 

[sunnyboys]

so if its a 12 team comp - that's the 6 Nation bunch plus 4 RC + Japan and Fiji perhaps? so we'd run a RC of 6 teams - only play each other once.
everyone plays 11 tests a year (nz v oz would probably throw in an extra bled to keep that at 2 tests min).

Giving a picture like this

NH teams schedule
5 tests in Feb v NH in NH (6 Nations)
3 tests in July v SH in SH
0 tests in Sept
3 tests in Nov v SH in NH
semi's & finals

SH teams schedule
0 tests in Feb
3 tests in July v NH in SH
5 tests in Aug/Sept v SH in SH (considering Japan as an adopted SH team)
3 tests in Nov v NH in NH
semi's & finals

Playing Semi's and Final in NH will be all about maintaining current test windows which all have agreed shouldn't be re-negotiated.

If NZR, who are constantly trying to make more money, think this is a rev boost even without possible home semi's and finals, well I would think it probably is.

 

[sunnyboys]

Derpus, I reckon the Wallabies could do with kind of accountability right about now.

but in all likelihood, the difference between say even argentina down to italy, japan, fiji is quite a step. Even after this dreadful year the wallabies would still be safe from relegation.

 

[sunnyboys]

the real problem would be if Italy or one of the 2 extra teams in an expanded RC were relegated - does that mean they are relegated from the 6 Nations/RC as well. 6 nations doesnt do relegation.

 

[Derpus]

Derpus, I reckon the Wallabies could do with kind of accountability right about now.

but in all likelihood, the difference between say even argentina down to italy, japan, fiji is quite a step. Even after this dreadful year the wallabies would still be safe from relegation.

I think if we were suddenly bereft of Rugby Championship money we would go broke near instantly.

 

[Derpus]

the real problem would be if Italy or one of the 2 extra teams in an expanded RC were relegated - does that mean they are relegated from the 6 Nations/RC as well. 6 nations doesnt do relegation.

How else would it work?

It would have to be a two team promotion/relegation, one each from the RC and the 6N. Can't see how else it would work. For example, what happens if Tonga get promoted and Italy relegated. A 5N?

 

[Rebels3]

Interesting side note on this, is the European league of Nations in football that this looks like is modeled from has been a rousing success in its first year. TV audiences and crowds all improved with the inclusion of the league format. Admittedly football had more of a problem at international level than rugby did, but there is real basis here to engage more people than had been previously

 

[Derpus]

Another benefit of this rethink is that we won't have to get absolutely fucking flogged by the All Blacks three times a year.

 

[Strewthcobber]

SH teams schedule
0 tests in Feb
3 tests in July v NH in SH
5 tests in Aug/Sept v SH in SH (considering Japan as an adopted SH team)
3 tests in Nov v NH in NH
semi's & finals

More likely scenario...............

0 tests in Feb
3 tests in July v NH in SH
6 tests in July/Aug/Sept v TRC
2 tests in September v Others
3 tests in Nov v NH
Final (Wallabies not required)

 

[sunnyboys]

Strewth - that could work too. And you are correct RE Finals

 

[Omar Comin']

Again, I'm skeptical. It means all the teams (except the All Blacks obviously) risk having a shocker season and getting relegated, and losing all of the money as a result.

I suspect the format would change / expand the moment a traditional power of the game looked like being relegated.

I don't think it's very likely in the short term though. Italy could be in danger, and maybe Argentina, but either of those countries being relegated probably wouldn't force any change. I guess it would be possible for a country with less depth like Scotland to have a really bad year and end up in the last 2 though. I think that would probably force a change.

 

[Brumby Runner]

More likely scenario.....

0 tests in Feb
3 tests in July v NH in SH
6 tests in July/Aug/Sept v TRC
2 tests in September v Others
3 tests in Nov v NH
Final (Wallabies not required)

Strewth, I imagine you are contemplating a home and away series for TRC? In that case, what do Japan and Fiji do for their extra 5 games?

 

[sunnyboys]

The article talks of a shortened TRC. so it would be one game against each team, not home and away.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

The most workable model IMO is to forget about hemispheres & just have Group A = 6N, Group B = TRC+2 (currently Fiji & Japan, I think). Promotion to/ relegation from Group A via Euro Championship, to/ from Group B second-tier rest of world comp.

 

[Omar Comin']

I don't think the world league necessarily needs to include the 6 Nations and Rugby Championship results towards it. It could be entirely separate. You could just have 2 Groups of 6 that only play each team in the other group. Each group winner would be determined by who performs best against the other group, rather than against their own group or a combination of both. This would allow the 6 Nations and Rugby Championship to remain ring fenced.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Strewth, I imagine you are contemplating a home and away series for TRC? In that case, what do Japan and Fiji do for their extra 5 games?

Frankly, that's up to them. I can't see any of the SANZAR members cutting the TRC. They need the broadcast and home games each year against the old rivals.

Only the second round of matches will count for the League of Nations (or something similar)

I also think they'll find a way to keep three Bleds in the calendar. Gate receipts against big nations are key. Games against Japan and Fiji aren't going to cut it

 

[Strewthcobber]

3 NH home games, 6 TRC games, 2 other LofN, 3rd Bled, 3 NH away games, one final (if required)


15/16 games in 22 weeks or so
7/8 home games