What if the teams going home weren't going home!

This is just a continuation of the 'shield/plate' argument some of us would like to see. Here si what i would like to see happen based on the finishing positions in this years pools.

Pool A
New Zealand 4 4 0 0 240 49 36 6 4 20
France 4 2 0 2 124 96 13 9 3 11
Tonga 4 2 0 2 80 98 7 13 1 9
Canada 4 1 1 2 82 168 9 20 0 6
Japan 4 0 1 3 69 184 8 25 0 2

Pool B
England 4 4 0 0 137 34 18 1 2 18
Argentina 4 3 0 1 90 40 10 3 2 14
Scotland 4 2 0 2 73 59 4 4 3 11
Georgia 4 1 0 3 48 90 3 9 0 4
Romania 4 0 0 4 44 169 3 21 0 0

Pool C
Ireland 4 4 0 0 135 34 15 3 1 17
Australia 4 3 0 1 173 48 25 4 3 15
Italy 4 2 0 2 92 95 13 11 2 10
USA 4 1 0 3 38 122 4 18 0 4
Russia 4 0 0 4 57 196 8 29 1 1

Pool D
South Africa 4 4 0 0 166 24 21 2 2 18
Wales 4 3 0 1 180 34 23 4 3 15
Samoa 4 2 0 2 91 49 10 5 2 10
Fiji 4 1 0 3 59 167 7 19 1 5
Namibia 4 0 0 4 44 266 5 36 0 0

QF1 : Tonga V Georgia
QF2 : Scotland V Canada
QF3 : Italy V Fiji
QF4 : USA V Samoa

(my prediction)
SF1 : Tonga V Samoa
SF2 : Italy V Scotland

Final : Scotland V Samoa


I think theres some great entertainment to be had here on the weekday slots which are now empty. It also gives the minnows something really within their reach. It also gives unlucky teams like Scotland this time round, Ireland last time round, a chance of redemption.

I would vote for it, would you?

I have been thinking along the same lines for 2-3 weeks now. I'm currently out in NZ at the mo following England, but have been fortunate to see some of the Tier 2 teams play in other matches not involving England. I am in favour for the following reasons;

1.) The lesser teams need as much game time as possible and exposure to teams ranked above them.
2.) Some of the games would for sure be entertaining.
3.) There are a load of fans here without midweek matches to attend, I know for sure that people I've spoken to would definitely be up for seeing these games.
4.) Giving these teams more time together, which is something they struggle with would surely reap rewards in terms of raised performance.

Cost.

An excellent idea.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Cost.

Cost to the IRB? Or the teams?

Surely people pay to get into the matches? And TV stations pay for air rights? I can't see how cost is that big a hurdle.

If they really cared about the growth of rugby in the tier 2 nations, this is what they should do.

Imagine one of Tonga Georgia Scotland Canada Italy Fiji USA Samoa going home with silverware, and the media coverage that would produce within that nation, and also for the runner up.

RFU proposed a plate competition for RWC 2015.

The idea was rejected - mainly on monetary grounds. Biggest hurdle was ensuring that Tier 2/3 teams could actually have enough funds to ensure their players were available. This is both paying extra wages - but also whether the players would be released from their jobs for the time needed. Some are amateurs but also some would jeopodise club contracts by missing such a long period of time.

LondonTiger wrote:RFU proposed a plate competition for RWC 2015.

The idea was rejected - mainly on monetary grounds. Biggest hurdle was ensuring that Tier 2/3 teams could actually have enough funds to ensure their players were available. This is both paying extra wages - but also whether the players would be released from their jobs for the time needed. Some are amateurs but also some would jeopodise club contracts by missing such a long period of time.

What if they actually qualified from their pools though? Would some of them say 'Hold on, i never thought we'd get to the Quarters, I have to go back home for work!'
Surely if you are at the world cup, you have allowed for the possibility (as slight as it is) that you might be here for its entirity? Whether its leave from work or from your club.

"Surely people pay to get into the matches? And TV stations pay for air rights? I can't see how cost is that big a hurdle"

i dont think many would see the games, or any tv stations would pay extra for it either.

so it would cost them to much unless they got a percentage of the pool of the tv revenue. NZ would cry if that happened lol and boycott 2015

Cost would be a problem as the money doesn't go to the teams that play it goes to the IRB and the country that holds the RWC.

Aside from the cost, I think many off these teams would have given their all during the group stages. While the likes of Scotland, Italy and Samoa would probably have the playing resources to continue, many other sides are probably quietly relieved at the thought of putting their feet up, after coming up against the best teams in the world. Some of them were looking a bit ragged towards the end of last week, in any case.

It's ok in sevens where you have short games. The other factor is the short turnaround times some of them have had, that certainly takes it's toll.

Yes I would. The 3rd/4th play off could be abandoned then as well. On a side note Scotland to beat Italy? Really?

Glas a du wrote:Yes I would. The 3rd/4th play off could be abandoned then as well. On a side note Scotland to beat Italy? Really?

well yeah - scotland certainlky outperfomred italy this world cup

I'd have that one down as too close to call myself.

scotland didnt get one thrashing

italy got thrashed a couple of times