General Rugby Discussion 3

I watched the Poland v Belgium highlights, because apparently I have nothing else to do with my life? Tier 2 has that weird halfway energy between top tier and something below, always causing discussion about its place in world rugby; but you quickly remember just how big the gulf is even below that tier, when you watch the likes of the above. Equally though, you saw just how much the result meant to the Belgians and that's always great to see.

I was even just thinking of feeder clubs competing in a "super league" of Tier 2 nations to give a professional structure and standard, rather than 4, 5 separate countries all rowing in circles. Seems to be the plan with South American countries (not that Chile exactly kicked the doors down at the WC). But then if it doesn't all go somewhere, it might be for nothing if Lisbon RFC / Portugal can't push onwards. It's a very frustrating echo chamber as sports go.

Spain like Portugal look like a good, competent team whose size really highlights the sheer physical difference between Tier 1 + 2. You would imagine Spain would get destroyed by a Tier 1 nation, sheer muscle outstripping Spain's apparent technical ability.

Impossible to know what Georgia can do though, with the 6 Nations a closed shop & gravy train, and the November window rejig potentially beneficial to Georgia as an invited guest - but FA use to anyone else in that tourney. If I've got the right end of the stick there: had to remind myself what plan is there and this seems to indicate the Portugals et al will eventually have a chance at promotion?

But if there's a 4 year gap til it starts (if at all, cos it smells a bit can kicking?), surely that'll just give the 2 guests a headstart? Then again & also, if the Tier 1 teams are locked in and can't be relegated even if (say) Wales finish last, Georgia may be constantly up, down, up, down...

Open to correction by wiser heads, cos I suspect I'm completely misunderstanding the thing

Because those in charge seem to read "developing the game" as a kind of encircling of the wagons to create an S-Tier structure, developing our game not yours, with everything else just kind existing as a sideshow to feed into the pockets or power of those in charge. Plus ca change etc.; It's no more egregious than any other international sport these days I suppose, only with slightly less money sloshing about & more obvious set of hierarchies & gates (unless soccer ever manages to birth that Euro Super League idea constantly threatened, but we've seen the likes of Shamrock Rovers do well from the still-existing ability to play their way to the top tiers)

The 2030 caveat for this second tier tournament feels a little iffy; like they're throwing out a maybe, sure we'll do it later, honest kinda promise to the Tier 2+ unions. The constant yo-yoing of Georgia in and out of the main league every 2 years is gonna be tedious to see - though if Wales finished bottom of the heap in that new league - and it's not entirely implausible given what just passed - watch the fur fly then.

Right, that makes more sense now that you say it: still, quite the yo-yo for those guys too, assuming everything's in place by 2030 & relegation/promotion kicks in.