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6 nations to 12 nations
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<blockquote data-quote="psychic duck" data-source="post: 610446" data-attributes="member: 48703"><p>Italy are miles better now than they were in the 90's, and it is directly related to entry to the 6 Nations. Just last year they very nearly drew with Australia, an equivalent result in the 90's against a top 3 side was unimaginable. In the 95 World Cup they shipped 40 points to Samoa and lost to Tonga in 99 with a three figure loss to New Zealand. Crowds for internationals have massively increased since admission, they have much more money and the side is much better. None of this was really apparent however after 2 years in the competition, which makes your thoughts on Argentina flawed. The rise in revenue, soon to be increased professional system and consistent exposure to top level rugby will be seen in the long term.</p><p></p><p>The line about interest declining is wrong as well. New Zealand are the biggest brand in the sport, them visiting sells the most tickets even though most Argentines would know they probably won't win. Italy lost the vast majority of games some by large margins in the 6N for the first 5 or so years. They now sell out 70,000 stadia from the previous 28,000 ground.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I agree the chances are slim to none and that they should lobby the IRB to get an alternative improved tournament, but your getting several things wrong. Romania play in a very small 5,000 ground, a bigger team could sell out one of the bigger football stadiums. Likewise Georgia, Samoa and Canada got 20 odd thousand, but a bigger team would likely fill the 60,000 stadium. Matches with Ukraine in the ENC are not comparable, nearer 2,000.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Playing harder opposition consistently does indeed make you better. Not "magically" better straight away in the first 2 years, but it does over a longer period of time. There is a good argument that there should be a balance between playing better teams and weaker teams, but never exposing yourself to a higher level will mean it is much more difficult when it comes World Cup time.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="psychic duck, post: 610446, member: 48703"] Italy are miles better now than they were in the 90's, and it is directly related to entry to the 6 Nations. Just last year they very nearly drew with Australia, an equivalent result in the 90's against a top 3 side was unimaginable. In the 95 World Cup they shipped 40 points to Samoa and lost to Tonga in 99 with a three figure loss to New Zealand. Crowds for internationals have massively increased since admission, they have much more money and the side is much better. None of this was really apparent however after 2 years in the competition, which makes your thoughts on Argentina flawed. The rise in revenue, soon to be increased professional system and consistent exposure to top level rugby will be seen in the long term. The line about interest declining is wrong as well. New Zealand are the biggest brand in the sport, them visiting sells the most tickets even though most Argentines would know they probably won't win. Italy lost the vast majority of games some by large margins in the 6N for the first 5 or so years. They now sell out 70,000 stadia from the previous 28,000 ground. I agree the chances are slim to none and that they should lobby the IRB to get an alternative improved tournament, but your getting several things wrong. Romania play in a very small 5,000 ground, a bigger team could sell out one of the bigger football stadiums. Likewise Georgia, Samoa and Canada got 20 odd thousand, but a bigger team would likely fill the 60,000 stadium. Matches with Ukraine in the ENC are not comparable, nearer 2,000. Playing harder opposition consistently does indeed make you better. Not "magically" better straight away in the first 2 years, but it does over a longer period of time. There is a good argument that there should be a balance between playing better teams and weaker teams, but never exposing yourself to a higher level will mean it is much more difficult when it comes World Cup time. [/QUOTE]
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