CocoPampas
Academy Player
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- Apr 16, 2016
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For years have been a recurrent statement that T2 countries need more schedules against T1 in order to get the opportunity to grow. Currently we can find this idea behind the claim for a 6N expansion, in order to include Georgia and Romania. But we have also heard it from the Pacific Nations, and in a less extent from US and Canada.
During the last world’s cup cycle an important change has begun. Using the international windows, several T1 vs. T2 schedules were added. Increasing from 15 full Test matches (between 2008 and 2010) up to 35 Tests (during 2012-2014).
However, some T2 Nations seems to be left aside, and some T1 Nations seems to be carrying the most part of the effort.
Talking about T2 Nations, Samoa (7), Fiji (5) and Canada (3) were the only ones that had got T1 opponents in the years before 2011 RWC. With Samoa and Fiji increasing the amount of matches in the next period (to 10 and 7 respectively), while Canada got the same amount. Others winners with this change were Tonga (5 matches), Japan (5), US (4). And although they may need more, they were much more fortunate than Georgia (2) and Romania (0).
It’s interesting for me that, although the better opportunities the Pacific Islands got, any of them had a successful world cup. And on the other hand, Georgia was able to get the classification for the next world cup.
Regarding the T1 Nations, we can find big differences in the involvement in these matches.
In one end we can find Italy and Scotland with 8 and 7 matches, including 2 tours involving 2 or more T2 rivals. Just below them, we can find Wales (5 matches) and Ireland (4), with 1 tour. Then appear the others 6N teams Frances (3) and England (2) usually receiving 1 T2 nation during the autumn internationals.
A completely different scene it showed with the SH T1 Nations. With New Zealand leading with 2 matches (3 if we include the world cup year), followed by Argentina and South Africa (with only 1 each), and finishing with Australia not playing any Test Match against T2 countries.
I find this a bit shocking, when it is usual to find a lot of SH people complaining about the home nations conservative approach, and claiming for more opportunities for Georgia and Romania.
Also, it seems to me that the current problems for Georgia and Romania (to get better schedule) is directly related with the lack of involvement from the SH T1 nations.
As a new step in the proper direction, WR should demand all T1 nations to play at least 3 games against T2 countries between world cups.
During the last world’s cup cycle an important change has begun. Using the international windows, several T1 vs. T2 schedules were added. Increasing from 15 full Test matches (between 2008 and 2010) up to 35 Tests (during 2012-2014).
However, some T2 Nations seems to be left aside, and some T1 Nations seems to be carrying the most part of the effort.
Talking about T2 Nations, Samoa (7), Fiji (5) and Canada (3) were the only ones that had got T1 opponents in the years before 2011 RWC. With Samoa and Fiji increasing the amount of matches in the next period (to 10 and 7 respectively), while Canada got the same amount. Others winners with this change were Tonga (5 matches), Japan (5), US (4). And although they may need more, they were much more fortunate than Georgia (2) and Romania (0).
It’s interesting for me that, although the better opportunities the Pacific Islands got, any of them had a successful world cup. And on the other hand, Georgia was able to get the classification for the next world cup.
Regarding the T1 Nations, we can find big differences in the involvement in these matches.
In one end we can find Italy and Scotland with 8 and 7 matches, including 2 tours involving 2 or more T2 rivals. Just below them, we can find Wales (5 matches) and Ireland (4), with 1 tour. Then appear the others 6N teams Frances (3) and England (2) usually receiving 1 T2 nation during the autumn internationals.
A completely different scene it showed with the SH T1 Nations. With New Zealand leading with 2 matches (3 if we include the world cup year), followed by Argentina and South Africa (with only 1 each), and finishing with Australia not playing any Test Match against T2 countries.
I find this a bit shocking, when it is usual to find a lot of SH people complaining about the home nations conservative approach, and claiming for more opportunities for Georgia and Romania.
Also, it seems to me that the current problems for Georgia and Romania (to get better schedule) is directly related with the lack of involvement from the SH T1 nations.
As a new step in the proper direction, WR should demand all T1 nations to play at least 3 games against T2 countries between world cups.