The endless comparisons between the strengths of southern and northern hemisphere rugby long ago got a bit tired, and anyway they are becoming less relevant now that South Africa’s switch to the northern club-season has blurred the distinction between the two.
Although the Rugby World Cups continue to be dominated by southern hemisphere teams, with England’s win in 2003 the only outlier and the Webb Ellis trophy having resided in either South Africa or New Zealand since 2007, the gap definitely isn’t what it used to be. And it will remain that way.
There were three southern hemisphere wins in four. But although the world champion Springboks did deserve their win over the world’s second ranked team, Ireland, the game at Loftus could really have gone either way. In the three other games though it was close and should have ignited the interest in the second games to be played this coming weekend. In all three there was no shortage of passion and commitment from the players, and there was plenty of engagement from the fans.
It will comprise a top division of 12 teams and a second division run by World Rugby of 12 teams with promotion and relegation commencing from 2030. That would have stung the New Zealanders for it was true, they had another four years to wait before what was at that time a perplexing World Cup trophy drought. And like the Olympics, which also happens only every four years, the truth in those words is what makes the event special. Hold the Olympics every second year and it will lose allure.
Cricket has brought in a Test Championship and understandably so as the five day format was under threat. The incoming tours series, certainly those that come south in mid-year, do not require changing and instead they are becoming more competitive and watchable.
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