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Tier Two & Three Rugby
Mind the Gap (between Tiers)
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<blockquote data-quote="Bruce_ma gooshvili" data-source="post: 1095265" data-attributes="member: 74121"><p>Overall not too many cross Tier fixtures this mid-year, and a very mixed bag that is difficult to decipher due to some experimental squad selections.</p><p></p><p>Highlights were:</p><p></p><p>- Georgia beating Italy (1st victory over a Tier1 ever and with a Georgian coach)</p><p>- Japan almost beating France (leading after 70mins, conceded an incredibly soft try then knocked on at the death when touching down to reclaim the victory.)</p><p>- Portugal almost beating Italy</p><p></p><p>Lowlights were:</p><p></p><p>- Italy hammering Romania</p><p>- Scotland hammering Chile</p><p>- Australia A beating Fiji</p><p>- Argentina A beating Georgia and Portugal </p><p>- no real initial signs of SR exposure translating into improved PI performance (very early days, we'll know better in the EOYTs)</p><p></p><p>I'd summarise it as being less predictable than ten years ago, but with a long way to go. I do get the sense if the various pro/semi pro leagues that have sprung up in the past 5 years can become financially stable (highly debatable) it is hard to see how the gap can fail to close significantly. The fact that a lot of Tier2s and 3s actually play some attractive rugby is also a big deal in terms of the sport becoming commercially viable in developing territories. </p><p></p><p>A big hurdle is that (in my opinion) the continental international tournaments are all either taking a step backwards (REC expanding prematurely to mix pro teams with amateurs, Africa cup curtailed and played in Europe) or have disappeared (Americas not yet replaced by a Sudamerica tournament and/or Pacific tournament). Without an annual, meaningful and competitive continental tournament I've no idea how administrators in these regions intend to engage fans. Flying Tier2s and 3s across the world in international windows to play each other in friendlies just isn't going to build any public interest. Attendances in Romania, Canada, Uruguay and even Japan have been pretty disappointing this past month.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Bruce_ma gooshvili, post: 1095265, member: 74121"] Overall not too many cross Tier fixtures this mid-year, and a very mixed bag that is difficult to decipher due to some experimental squad selections. Highlights were: - Georgia beating Italy (1st victory over a Tier1 ever and with a Georgian coach) - Japan almost beating France (leading after 70mins, conceded an incredibly soft try then knocked on at the death when touching down to reclaim the victory.) - Portugal almost beating Italy Lowlights were: - Italy hammering Romania - Scotland hammering Chile - Australia A beating Fiji - Argentina A beating Georgia and Portugal - no real initial signs of SR exposure translating into improved PI performance (very early days, we'll know better in the EOYTs) I'd summarise it as being less predictable than ten years ago, but with a long way to go. I do get the sense if the various pro/semi pro leagues that have sprung up in the past 5 years can become financially stable (highly debatable) it is hard to see how the gap can fail to close significantly. The fact that a lot of Tier2s and 3s actually play some attractive rugby is also a big deal in terms of the sport becoming commercially viable in developing territories. A big hurdle is that (in my opinion) the continental international tournaments are all either taking a step backwards (REC expanding prematurely to mix pro teams with amateurs, Africa cup curtailed and played in Europe) or have disappeared (Americas not yet replaced by a Sudamerica tournament and/or Pacific tournament). Without an annual, meaningful and competitive continental tournament I've no idea how administrators in these regions intend to engage fans. Flying Tier2s and 3s across the world in international windows to play each other in friendlies just isn't going to build any public interest. Attendances in Romania, Canada, Uruguay and even Japan have been pretty disappointing this past month. [/QUOTE]
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