World Rugby secretly modified his bye-law about his Council members

Between December 5, 2019 and February 26. 2020, the most important bye-law for the gouvernance of World Rugby have been changed without any notice. 

Bye-Law 9 is about the World Rugby Council. The Council decides everything matters in international rugby. The Council vote to elect the president and vice-president, it choose the host of money making Rugby World Cups, but also the host of plenty of tournaments around the world. it also decides the format of tournaments, it can sanction World Rugby members. The Council basically make what international rugby looks like. Last year Gus Pichot's Nations Championship was abandoned because council didn't want it.

Thanks to Google cache of the modified web page, we can easily see every changes made since December 5.

9.1 didn't changed.

9.2 Applying to join Council (c) was modified to be in line with new 9.3

The former version was :

The current version is :

New version adds a new (ii) allowing the former members of the Council to come back to it qualifying to only the last men's Rugby World Cup. Former version clearly states every members need to qualify for the last two men's RWC.

9.2 (d) was entirely modified.

The former version was :

The current version is :

The former version was key one. It basically says members who failed to qualify for the last RWC will be excluded from the Council in January following RWC.
Romania must have been excluded from the council ceasing to satisfy this criteria.

9.3 is a brand new paragraph

It creates a new concept of "Ceasing to fulfill criteria". It was only made to protect the current Council members to lost their seat failing to qualify for a RWC.
The paragraph only benefits Romania allowing Alin Petrache to save his seat.
In the future, this article will have a lot of consequences. It means every nations which failed to qualify for a RWC will continue to have power at the Council. For example, if Italy weren't able to qualify they will still have three seats during the next four years.
From now current members will have to miss two consecutive men's Rugby World Cup to lost seats at the Council.
Today it saves Alin Petrache's seat and probably satisfies current Rugby Europe representative Romanian Octavian Morariu. Two voters for the next election of president in May 2020.
According (c), Romania will still have a representative at the Council until December 31st, 2023, until they failed to qualify for two consecutive RWC.

The discretion about this major change was obviously to avoid any reaction. World Rugby just changed his own regulations in the last hour to allow an old member to keep privileges. That won't help World Rugby to improve his democratic reputation.

Former version of bye-law 9

Top 20 nations for registered players in a four year table

Here the full numbers in the last four years.

	Union	Registered players according World Rugby Year in review
		2018	2017	2016	2015
1	South Africa	635,288	530,393	405,438	358,378
2	England	355,153	359,447	382,154	363,667
3	Australia	271,922	273,095	230,753	241,577
4	France	258,247	272,792	542,242	283,483
5	New Zealand	156,074	155,934	150,727	150,564
6	USA	131,748	124,726	119,682	116,532
7	Fiji	123,900	122,489	122,453	66,124
8	Kenya	122,840	52,261	50,541	19,653
9	Argentina	121,281	109,357	105,151	97,940
10	China	113,686	49,502	35,361	23,500
11	Japan	108,796	109,312	105,693	106,120
12	Wales	107,959	94,000	83,120	75,421
13	Ireland	94,067	103,044	101,922	165,414
14	Italy	77,739	82,243	87,211	77,284
15	Sri Lanka	59,509	57,332	55,282	54,892
16	Madagascar	48,946	42,140	34,393	27,485
17	Scotland	46,050	47,703	49,265	49,305
18	Malaysia	38,022	10,950	10,250	9,350
19	Zimbabwe	32,895	31,328	26,318	24,110
20	Spain	29,081	33,482	34,822	27,510

*Best year in blue, worst year in red.

It's obvious some unions are lying in particular year. Huge rise in poor unions can also mean an improvement in record method.

Decoding World Rugby participation numbers

First, it would be useless to talk about the total players column. This number is a vastly joke aggregating every small initiatives where a boy touches a rugby ball. If soccer were to use a similar number, nearly 100% of male children on this planet would be in.
Only the "registered players" column deserves an analysis despite being far from perfect. According these imperfect numbers from World Rugby Year in review, total of registered players around the world knows a unprecedented 9 percent rise from 3.2 to 3.5 millions. This could be explained by several factors.

Top 10 nations overall for registered players

South Africa leads the ranking with an astonishing number of 635,288 players. Rugby is really massive grassroots sport in SA like anywhere else. This number surpasses the sum of the second and third nations and represent more than 18% of world total of registered players. This number allows to better understand the massive presence of SA players all around the world and the key role of South Africa in World Rugby internal politic. SA numbers are continuously rising more the sport spreads in all the nation. South Africa had 405,438 players in 2016 and 530,393 in 2017.

England is now easy 2nd with 355,153 since France numbers collapsed. Despite a slight decrease, participation numbers in England remains high since a decade now as no other grassroots sport emerges in UK. Australia confirm the third place taken in 2017 with a surprisingly stable number at 271,922 registered players. Despite all comments, Australia remains a highly sportive nation. And despite the competition of Aussie rule, rugby league and soccer, rugby union stays a well-implemented sport in Down Under.

France collapse (4th) seems like no end and is real to 258,247. France were the number one nation in registered players in 2016 with 542,242. This number came from a rise following 2007 RWC at home and 2011 RWC run to the final. According World Rugby, France lost half of his registered players in two years. It's more probable the decrease started earlier but it's true. Rugby badly suffered from the fantastic emergence of basketball in the last few years (nearly 700,000 players) and the constant rise of handball (550,000 players), this is a massive issue for World Rugby and easily explains why 2023 RWC hosting rights were awarded to France.

Only the top four nations represent more than 1,5 millions registered players. That can be considered as a huge problem when you observed France's situation.

New Zealand is the fifth nation in the world in registered players with steady number above 150,000. Many thought USA (6th, 131,748) would climb above New Zealand in 2018 but the participation doesn't rise as fast as expected (119,682 in 2016). Recent reports of insider claims numbers could decrease. Fiji is 7th with a logical steady number (123,900) considering the total population.

Numbers start to be dubious with Kenya rising to the 8th place in the world (from 52,261 to 122,840...). Kenya is well known to have improving participation numbers across Africa, but this one can't be considered seriously until next year. Argentina (9th, 121,281) continue his constant progression (97,940 in 2015, 105,151 in 2016, 109,357 in 2017) but he's now trailed by a giant. China seems to seriously gear up to reach 113,686 registered players. Considering the population of China, this is easy. World Rugby goal is to reach 1 million players in China in 2026. This is perfectly feasible. Don't be surprised to see China surpassed England in the next two years.

Asia top 5

So Japan lost his historic first place for participation numbers to China. Land of the rising sun will probably never recovers it. Japan numbers tend to prove most of the numbers are seriously documented because Japan lost some players in 2018 (108,796 from 109,312 in 2017). Japan neither benefit from last RWC performance or 2019 RWC at home. Third place in Asia goes to the traditional rugby nation of Sri Lanka (59,509) which have solid numbers since years.

Malaysia is 4th with another doubtful number. According World Rugby, registered players in Malaysia would have risen to 38,022 from 10,950 in 2017, 10,250 in 2016, 9,350 in 2015. Rugby is surely on the rise in Malaysia but this would be a 347% improvement in 12 months. It's also possible numbers from 2017 and 2016 were wrong.

India (Asia 5th) continue its slow hard progression to 27,681 registered players. So much needs to be done.

Six nations suffering, rest of Europe improving

Neither Ireland, Wales, Italy or Scotland are in the top 10 nations for participation. Ireland is surprisingly affected by a hefty decrease with only 94,067 registered players in 2018 against 103,044 a year before. According World Rugby, Ireland recorded 165,414 in 2015. Wales is on a regular rise with 107,959 registered players from 75,421 in 2015.

Italy (Europe 5th, 77,739) came back to the performance of 2015 after a rise to 87,211 in 2016. Scotland (6th) have a slight loss to 46,050 from 49,265 in 2016. Spain is 7th in Europe with 29,081 registered players down from 34,822 two years ago. Russia is 8th with a slight progression in recent years (28,158). Other European nations don't reach 15,000.

Small African nation rising

Madagascar (Africa 3rd) is still on a big rise and reach a superb number of 48,946 registered players. Let's hope new soccer mania following historic run in AFCON won't hurt this. Unexpected 

Rwanda have a strong solid rise in the last four years. From more than 7,000 in 2015 to more than 18,000 a year later, Victoria Lake state now records 27,304 players. Rwanda has more than 12 millions inhabitants, so still to come. Traditional African nations Zimbabwe and Uganda are in slow progression around 30,000 players.

Canada numbers are steady since years around 28,000 registered players.

Despite a slight improvement, Brazil numbers (18,316) aren't especially impressive considering the population of the country.

Worth the note : Solomon Islands have 12,128 registered players, nearly the same number as Samoa. Colombia doubled its numbers to 8,813 but still far from expectations. The same for Mexico (9,142) Rugby in Korea is dying now with 987 players down from 2,220 in 2015.

World Top 20 in 2018 :

1. South Africa 635,288 registered players
2. England 355,153
3. Australia 271,922
4. France 258,247
5. New Zealand 156,074
6. USA 131,748
7. Fiji 123,900
8. Kenya 122,840
9. Argentina 121,281
10. China 113,686
11. Japan 108,796
12. Wales 107,959
13. Ireland  94,067
14. Italy  77,739
15. Sri Lanka 59,509
16. Madagascar 48,946
17. Scotland 46,050
18. Malaysia 38,022
19. Zimbabwe 32,895
20. Spain 29,081

Make the ATP-like World Sevens Tour

Now it's done, rugby 7s became a primary Olympic sport in Rio. No surprise there, we all knew the sport's potential. We knew people will fell in love in front of such a show. Sevens is probably the most entertaining things ever happened in the history of sports. 
Now it's time to move forward. Quickly. Not in the usual rugby timing. Sevens definitely proved it can attract people on several days' sequences. The tournament model must expand. More than expand, it must be opened. It's time for sevens to enter in open era.
World Rugby need to create a World Ranking which record all the tournaments played week after week. The tournaments must be ordered in different levels. Keep the current legs of the World Rugby Sevens as mandatory events for the top 20 teams to make them Masters 1000-like. Create open qualifying for every tournaments. Create a level of non-mandatory 16-team tournaments under that. Make an annual 32-team Rugby World Cup Sevens. Make a season final event as the Masters Cup.
Open Sevens !
A limited number of non-mandatory tournaments should be recorded in the World Ranking. This will guarantee big teams involvement in all of them. A lot of cities are already interested hosting regular sevens tournament. Remember that a record number of unions bid to host the next Rugby World Cup Sevens. We could see Sevens World Tour legs in Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Fiji, Brazil, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Wales. Many already host nations would like to host more tournaments : New Zealand in Auckland, England in the north, USA in the east, France in Marseille. Sevens future is bright. There is no time to wait.

This is unfair rugby World Rugby Regulation 9 infringements of the week (3/?)

Each week of international rugby, I will give the list of every first string players retained by their professional club. These clubs violates without any fear one of the most important regulation of World Rugby. You can read the regulation about availability of players here.

Week of 15/03 to 21/03/2015

Italy-Wales : Nobody

England-France : Nobody

Scotland-Ireland : Nobody

This week, the list of outlaws clubs is shortening thanks to Carcassonne discovery of Word Rugby Laws.

Russia-Portugal :
Despite being heavily composed of domestic players, Russia can't play with all his best players.
Kirill Kulemin of Perpignan improperly retired but only for his national team which is not at the level of his club...

It's worse than ever for Portugal...
These players are retained :
Lionel Campergue of Périgueux (French level 3)
Tony Martins of Limoges (French level 3)
Mike Tadjer of Massy
Fabio Da Silva of Bourgoin
Samuel Marques of Pau
David Penalva of Montauban
Christian Spachuk of Bourgoin
Pedro Bettencourt Avila of Clermont
Julien Bardy of Clermont

Romania-Georgia
Romania get back most of his players. Last week, a depleted Romania nearly lost its first game against Germany since 1938.
Catalin Fercu of Saracens

Still some respect to Georgia. Dmitri Basilaia returned from an injury last week. We can't be sure he's retained by Perpignan

Spain-Germany :
Late January, Spain designated a 53-player squad list. Excellent players from Top 14 and Pro D2 were named in the squad. This list strangely disappeared from the official website of FER. This is Spain fifth game in the Rugby Europe Championship.
More players than ever from this list will play against Germany. Many players are no more retained fot the last match of Spain in the REC. Are still illegally retained since the beginning :
Charly Malie of Montauban
Mathieu Belie of Perpignan
Charles Giménez of Biarritz
Mathieu Peluchon of Albi

Those Spanish players are retained for the second consecutive week :
Gauthier Giboin of Montauban
Marco Pinto Ferrer of Béziers

Germany get back most of his retained players from last week.
Still retained :
Rob Elloway of London Welsh

This is unfair rugby World Rugby Regulation 9 infringements of the week

Each week of international rugby, I will give the list of every first string players retained by their professional club. These clubs violates without any fear one of the most important regulation of World Rugby. You can read the regulation about availability of players here.

Week of 08/03 to 14/03/2015

Wales-Ireland : Nobody

Italy-France : Nobody

England-Scotland : Nobody

This week, the list of outlaws clubs is longer than ever.

Portugal-Spain :
Some clubs illegally decided that releasing Portuguese players to play for Germany was enough... Good point for Périgueux who decided to give up illegality releasing Lionel Campergue.
These players are retained :
Mike Tadjer of Massy
José Lima of Carcassonne
Fabio Da Silva of Bourgoin
Samuel Marques of Pau
David Penalva of Montauban
Christian Spachuk of Bourgoin
Pedro Bettencourt Avila of Clermont
Julien Bardy of Clermont

Late January, Spain designated a 53-player squad list. Excellent players from Top 14 and Pro D2 were named in the squad. This list strangely disappeared from the official website of FER. This is Spain fourth game in the Rugby Europe Championship.
None of the players above appeared for Spain for all four :
Mathieu Visensang of Bayonne
Sebastien Rouet of Narbonne
Charly Malie of Montauban
Mathieu Belie of Perpignan
Christopher Ruiz of Narbonne
Fabien Gramático of Carcassonne
Charles Giménez of Biarritz
Mathieu Peluchon of Albi

New players retained are :
Guillaume Rouet of Bayonne
Beñat Auzqui of Bordeaux-Bègles
Gauthier Giboin of Montauban
Fernando Lopez of Massy
Marco Pinto Ferrer of Béziers

First four names were starting two weeks ago against Georgia.

Georgia-Russia
Clubs definitly start to respect Georgia. Maybe World Rugby take care. None Georgian first team players were retained this week.

Despite being heavily composed of domestic players, Russia can't play with all his best players.
Kirill Kulemin of Perpignan improperly retired but only for his national team which is not at the level of his club...

Germany-Romania :
Germany lost more players because of rule 9 infringements.
Are retained :
Damien Tussac of Montauban
Rob Elloway of London Welsh
Chris Hilsenbeck of Colomiers
Paul Bosh of Nevers (French level 3)

Romania lost more players than two weeks ago. Perpignan finally released Paulica Ion.
Mihai Lazar of Castres
Horace Pungea of Lyon
Alin Coste of Carcassonne
Andrei Ursache of Carcassonne
Last time, I forgot (sadly they're still retained) :
Catalin Fercu of Romania
Mihai Macovei of Massy
Valentin Ursache of Oyonnax


Belgium-Moldova : 
Last week, La Rochelle retained a Dutch play, this week, this a Belgian :
Julien Berger of La Rochelle
Jens Torfs of Perpignan
Guillaume Piron of Colomiers

Ospreys finally released Dmitri Arhip. Uncertaincy remains for :
Vadim Cobilas of Sale Sharks
Maxim Cobilas of Sale Sharks
Andrei Mahu of Zebre

Unfair Rugby Feature World Rugby Regulation 9 infringements of the week

Each week of international rugby, I will give the list of every first string players retained by their professional club. These clubs violates without any fear one of the most important regulation of World Rugby. You can read the regulation about availability of players here.

Week of 23/02 to 01/03/2015

Scotland-Italy : Nobody

France-Wales : Nobody

Ireland-England : Nobody

Spain-Georgia :
Late January, Spain designated a 53-player squad list. Excellent players from Top 14 and Pro D2 were named in the squad. This list strangely disappeared from the official website of FER. This is Spain third meeting of the Rugby Europe Championship.
None of the players above appeared for Spain for all three :
Mathieu Visensang of Bayonne
Sebastien Rouet of Narbonne
Charly Malie of Montauban
Mathieu Belie of Perpignan
Christopher Ruiz of Narbonne
Fabien Gramático of Carcassonne
Charles Giménez of Biarritz
Mathieu Peluchon of Albi

This week only :
Marco Pinto Ferrer of Béziers

Georgia situation is improving, maybe the clubs start to see that retaining Georgians is more visible.
Only one player is retained to play for Georgia this week :
Davit Zirakashvili of Clermont

Portugal-Germany :
Portugal lost last week by a small margin against Georgia, many first string players were absent, this week they were released to play against Germany. Still many players are retained :
José Lima of Carcassonne
Lionel Campergue of Périgueux
Fabio Da Silva of Bourgoin
Samuel Marques of Pau
David Penalva of Montauban
Christian Spachuk of Bourgoin

Germany lost last week without several first choice.
Are retained :
Damien Tussac of Montauban
Rob Elloway of London Welsh

Russia-Romania : 
Despite being heavily composed of domestic players, Russia can't play with all his best players.
Kirill Kulemin of Perpignan retired but only for his national team which is not at the level of his club...

Romania got back several players against Spain but some remains retained.
Paulica Ion of Perpignan (yes again)
Alin Coste of Carcassonne (yes again)
Andrei Ursache of Carcassonne (...)

Netherlands-Moldova : 
This Dutch player is retained :
Zeno Kieft of La Rochelle

Moldova seems to have no rights inside World Rugby :
Vadim Cobilas of Sale Sharks
Maxim Cobilas of Sale Sharks
Dmitru Arhip of Ospreys
Andrei Mahu of Zebre
All are retained.

How Samoa amazing depth keeps growing

When Samoa secured the 7th place in the IRB Rankings last November to book their place in the second band for the World Cup draw, many saw an opportunist and lucky move. Right, it was, at least, a bit lucky, but Samoa really confirmed its new elite status in the tournament played in South Africa during June. So, what really changed for Samoa since a few years ?
First, you can't underestimate the power of Samoa victory against Australia in 2010. That's clearly the kind of wins which leave its mark for a generation of players.
Second, Samoan players found a way to send a message to world rugby like Argentina did it before. They used their unfair treatment during 2011 RWC as a genious communication plan. It put all world rugby in a certain atmosphere about Samoa. It's important to have a clear message which means something to the players concerned by Samoa.
Third, and not the least, Samoa really improved its training standards. With the help of the IRB, coaching, nutrition, conditioning, mental approach, physicality (yes, they still can), everything. Samoa is really the first nation to benefit from an IRB plan. They built different facilities in Apia, improved their youth academies, played more useful games with the Pacific Rugby Cup.
And finally, Samoa put a definitive end to the "All Blacks attraction", many Samoa-born players were convinced Manu Samoa will give them a better aspiration than some meaningless caps with New Zealand. It's really about meaning and my second point is not out of consideration about that. The commitment of the Williams brothers (Paul was decisive in the Sydney historic win) nearly reversed the phenom. Since, more and more NZ-born players are committing themseleves to Manu Samoa.
Let's have a look on the brand new depth. For exemple, Samoa have an amazing pool of players at front row. It's not even sure Census Jonhston (Toulouse key player) is still the best Samoan front rower, Logovi'i Mulipola is now a monster player for the Premiership champions Leicester, but he have to fight for the job at loosehead with James Johnston (Saracens) and Zak Taulafo (Stade Français). And Naama Leleimalefaga (25, Montpellier) is rising fast. Anthony Perenise, former key player of the Manu is not even called in the last squad because Stephen Betham prefers to grow younger Viliamu Afatia (Agen). Half of these players are born in New Zealand (the Johnstons and Perenise). In every position, Samoa uses the diversity of players' origin as a force to advance.
Current Samoa biggest problem comes from his goal-kicking abilities. Only James So'oialo is a world-class goal kicker. His recent problem with Connacht ruled him out of the squad for November tour with the disappointed result we know. Even if Samoa names are impressive, a lot have be done on the field.

National teams collapse in Las Vegas (LVI Elite 7's complete scores and rankings)

Pool A :
Spain 31 v Chicago Lions 5
Bermuda 13 v Peru 31
Spain 46 v Peru 0
Bermuda 0 v Chicago Lions 31

Spain 45 v Berumuda 0
Chicago Lions 38 v Peru 0

Ranking :
1. Spain 6 pts
2. Chicago Lions 4"
3. Peru 2"
4. Bermuda 0"

Pool B :
Chile 21 v Tiger Rugby 21
Philippine Pacific 31 v Alaska Golden Bears 5
Chile 24 v Alaska Golden Bears 12
Philippine Pacific 12 v Tiger Rugby 20

Chile 47 v Philippine Pacific 5
Tiger Rugby 45 v Alaska Golden Bears 5

Ranking :
1. Chile 5 pts
2. Tiger Rugby 5"
3. Philippine Pacific 2"
4. Alaska Golden Bears 0"

Pool C :
Guyana 12 v Force XV Froggies 19
Mexico 0 v Social Vibe Pups 31
Guyana 14 v Social Vibe Pups 36
Mexico 12 v Force XV Froggies 19

Social Vibe Pups 35 v Force XV Froggies 0
Guyana 19 v Mexico 14


Ranking :
1. Social Vibe Pups 6 pts
2. Force XV Froggies 4"
3. Guyana 2"
4. Mexico 0"

Pool D :
Romania 14 v Denver Barbarians 14
Dog River Howlers 17 v Columbus 12
Romania 30 v Columbus 7
Dog River Howlers 21 v Denver Barbarians 21

Romania 10 v Dog River Howlers 19
Denver Barbarians 0 v Columbus 1

Ranking :
1. Dog River Howlers 5 pts
2. Romania 3"
3. Denver Barbarians 2"
4. Columbus 2"

Bowl quarter-finals :
Peru 26 v Alaska 14
Denver 14 v Mexico 5
Guyana 17 v Columbus 12
Philippines Pacific 38 v Bermuda 0

Bowl semi-final :
Peru 7 v Denver 28
Guyana v Philippines Pacific

Bowl final :
Denver v Guyana or PP

Cup quarter-finals :
Social Vibe Pups 36 v Romania 7
Chile 26 v Chicago Lions 0
Force XV Froggies 26 v Dog River Howlers 14
Spain 12 v Tiger Rugby 14

Cup semi-final :
Social Vibe Pups 7 v Chile 0
Force XV Froggies 14 v Tiger Rugby 19

Cup 3rd/4th final :
Chile 14 v Force XV Froggies 0

Cup final :
Social Vibe Pups 19 v Tiger Rugby 0

Complete Las Vegas Invitational Elite schedule

Eight national teams are playing in the Las Vegas Invitational Elite Sevens.
The pools are :
Pool A : Spain, Bermuda, Peru, Chicago Lions
Pool B : Chile, Philippine Pacific, Tiger Rugby, Alaska Golden Bears
Pool C : Guyana, Mexico, Force XV Froggies, Social Vibe Pups
Pool D : Romania, Denver Barbarians, Dog River Howlers, Columbus

Thursday February 9th :
8.00 Chile v Tiger Rugby
8.20 Philippine Pacific v Alaska Golden Bears
8.40 Guyana v Force XV Froggies
9.00 Mexico v Social Vibe Pups
9.20 Spain v Chicago Lions
9.40 Bermuda v Peru
10.00 Romania v Denver Barbarians
10.20 Dog River Howlers v Columbus
10.40 Chile v Alaska Golden Bears
11.00 Philippine Pacific v Tiger Rugby
11.20 Guyana v Social Vibe Pups
11.40 Mexico v Force XV Froggies
12.00 Spain v Peru
12.20 Bermuda v Chicago Lions
12.40 Romania v Columbus
13.00 Dog River Howlers v Denver Barbos

Friday February 10th :
8.00 Chile v Philippine Pacific
8.20 Tiger Rugby v Alaska Golden Bears
8.40 Guyana v Mexico
9.00 Force XV Froggies v Social Vibe Pups
9.20 Spain v Bermuda
9.40 Chicago Lions v Peru
10.00 Romania v Dog River Howlers
10.20 Denver Barbarians v Columbus
11.20 #25 QF Bowl 3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool B
11.40 #26 QF Bowl 3rd Pool D v 4th PoolC
12.00 #27 QF Bowl 3rd Pool C v 4th Pool D
12.20 #28 QF Bowl 3rd Pool B v 4th Pool A
12.40 #29 Cup QF 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B
1.00pm #30 Cup QF 1st Pool D v 2nd Pool C
1.20 #31 Cup QF 1st Pool C v 2nd Pool D
1.40 #32 Cup QF 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool A
2.00 #33 SF Shield Loser #25 v Loser #26
2.20 #34 SF Shield Loser #27 v Loser #28
2.40 #35 SF Bowl Winner #25 v Winner #26
3.00 #36 SF Bowl Winner #27 v Winner #28
3.20 #37 SF Plate Loser #29 v Loser #30
3.40 #38 SF Plate Loser #31 v Loser #32

Japan breakout year ?

Japan has always been a enigma for world rugby. Winning the Pacific Nations Cup for the first time, Japan revealed to the world all his progress two months before the World Cup.

Even if few know this, Japan is a traditional nation at rugby. British sailors bring rugby in Japan in 1874. Because of racial barriers and isolation, Japan played his first international game in 1932 against Canada. Rugby always had big numbers in the country. Japan is still ranked 6th in the world in terms of registered players ahead of Australia, Argentina, Wales and Scotland. Rugby in Japan always had a big financial support thank to company teams domination. But Japan always suffered from his isolation and inability to attract tall and strong players because of competition from judo, baseball and other martial arts. It's still a major issue. A late conversion to profesionnalism didn't help also. So Japan finally won only one game in World Cup history that was over Zimbabwe in 1991.

This could change radically at the next World Cup, thank to the development of professional Top League since 2003, thank to foreign contribution both at domestic and national level, Japan seems to be on the brink of revealing all his long-waited potential. Just two months before the World Cup, Japan beat two Pacific Island nations at full roster. Japan had already did this in 2010 but agaisnt weakened teams in 2010. This time, they beat the same kind of teams that usually elimanate Wales at the World Cup. But more than results the level of play of the Brave Blossoms is impressive, they made huge progress at rucks, defense and scrummaging. Ryan Nicholas bring world class skills to the backline. His breakline style remind me O'Driscoll's one. Japan back row radically improved in every ways. Usually made of captain Takashi Kikutani, young gun Michael Leitch, and number 8 Ryu Holani, they demonstrate toughness, resistance, endurance and, above all, fighting spirit.
One of the most impressive thing with this team is his depth. John Kirwan built this team for the World Cup, he wanted Japan to be able to play every four days, so he instated a huge competition among national team players, and no one has been saved. Even foreign-born players were affected, it lead the team to the current level of play. Even now, Shaun Webb is still in competition with Go Aruga at full-back, but he's also at fly-half with newcomer Murray Williams and historic leader James Arlidge. The same is right for Justin Ives and Luke Thompson compete by Toshizumi Kitagawa and Itoshi Ono at lock. Finally, two very different teams beat Tonga and Fiji in July.
One more impressive thing is the margin of improvement available. Against Tonga, James Arlidge mistakes lead to two zero pass try from Tonga ! In the same game, Japan missed two try opportunities with only one pass to do in front of the last defender ! Japan still lack simple try scoring skills, if they learned it, it could be terrible for their next opponent, Italy, because, above all, Japan love the ball, they keep it and keep it like Munster can do. They had an average possession of 70% at the PNC, 90% of the tries conceded by Japan came from a quick counterattack.
The chances for Japan to beat for the second time a Six Nations' team have never been so high. A win can definitely put them as a contender for the quarter-finals. Never forget what usually happened to France in his opening match at the World Cup...

USA rugby Dream team ?

Moeakiola(Bobigny)/MacDonald(Leeds) - ? - Pittman(London Welsh)/W.Johnson(London Irish)
LaValla(Dublin University)/Smith(Saracens) - Manoa(Northampton)
Clever(Suntory)/Stanfill(Mogliano) - N.Johnson(L'Aquila) - Basauri(L'Aquila)
Shaw(Bristol)/Usasz(Nottingham) - ?
Sifa(Nottingham)/Welch(Aix) - Tuilevuka(Montpellier) - Dirkson(Ospreys) - Ngwenya(Biarritz)/Swyrin(Agen)
Wyles(Saracens)

Here is what Eddy O'Sullivan can put on the paper for USA with overseas based players only. Impressive, isn't it ? Number of players in Top league clubs is pretty remarquable. It increases each year.
Since the 90's, USA rugby used to export big guys ready for hard battles in England or Wales, Dan Lyle, Kort Schubert, Luke Gross were one of them. Since Peter Thorburn nomination in 2006, something changed in the minds. He clearly proved that USA can play an attractive and complete rugby with fast backs, powerful centers and skillful players. 2007 RWC finished to convert the last skeptics. Than Taku Ngwenya went to Biarritz. Thas was a really ambitious move, no US backs played for a perenial Heineken Cup contender before. But after few months of adjustment, he had a huge impact in the team, in the french league and finally in all Europe. Taku waked up scouts sending them a powerful message : “Hey guys, see what can happen if you give a chance to the hungry American guys !” Scouts well heard the message and suddenly watched the 80,000+ USA players base, more than Scotland and Wales united.
USA quickly adapted thank to its great profesionnal sports experience, creating networks thru Europe, giving informations to clubs, putting promising players in front. Export of USA players is only starting, deceiving players are rare.
Next step for USA is to convince European clubs to sign key position players. As you see up, a hoocker and a fly-half are missing. But consider this, Tai Enosa name won’t wait too long to be in the headlines.

Rugby now first show in Paris

History happened few weeks ago in Paris. When Racing Metro hosted Toulouse in front of 74,000 spectators on March 23, the Racingmen not only beat Toulouse by the biggest margin of the season, but allow Rugby to officialy became the first sport in Paris metropolitan area. With a combined attendance of 34,000, Stade Français Paris et Racing Metro surpass the average attendance of football club Paris Saint-Germain. Racing-Metro was already in Top 14 last season but didn't host any games in the Stade de France. Reading these figures, it's easy to undestand why both rugby clubs from Paris are building two new stadiums, Stade Français'one is an exclusive rugby stadium with a 20,000 seats capacity, Racing-Metro's one is a multi-purpose arena of 32,000 seats in rugby use. And both clubs want to sold out the stadium for every games !
Paris is knowing a real transition. Rugby demonstrates how to go to the stadium with his children without hearing constant insults you can hear in a football stadium, escpecially in Paris. Aware of rugby popular rising in the city and after the death of a fan nearby the stadium in hooligans fight, Paris Saint Germain decided to clean his stadium. But after several months tryng to catch women and children that went to rugby, they failed to attract a new public. The 47,000 seats Parc des Princes is half empty, attendance rate is 59%...
This figure is in constant fall since three years. Football won't never take the lead again. Football reputation has never been so low in France. Capital figures are just the reflect of a change in sport show in France. Toulouse figures was already in favor of rugby, Paris figures show how rugby growing capacity is great in France. It's just the beginning of something rugby never know before, a NFLization.

Is Martin Heredia the next Diego Dominguez ?

Spain finally found a fly-half who came from nowhere to lead the Leones. He's born in Argentina, he improved lately and chose to play for an emerging nation. Is that remember you someone else ? Yes, you find him ? Diego Dominguez, Italian legend.

Heredia was discovered in 2010 by former Spain coach, Ged Glynn. It seems really incredible that a player like Heredia didn't attract scouts from France and England. He's a very skilled player, big man (1,84m, 90kg), versatile back. Each time he had the opportunity to start at fly-half, he was efficient. He's a productive defender, maybe the best among all the Spanish. Martin Heredia had a professional experience of several months in the inaugural SuperIberica in 2009, but, since 2010, he's playing in a regional amateur club, Costa del Sol. Martin Heredia is a regular member of the Spain Sevens national team. He played in the Hong Kong Sevens. Once again, he proved all his talent. http://www.youtube.com/irb#p/u/2/GZjw-N4zM0g Well, Martin Heredia really is the number 6 on the first try...

As Diego Dominguez changed the history of Italian rugby, Heredia have the power the capacity to carry Spain to another level. A level where Spain belong. Like in Italy, Spanish rugby has always been affected by French rugby. Recent matches organized by French clubs in San Sebastien and Barcelona focused the attention on rugby in Spain. In 2009, Spanish TV star commentator Michael Robinson even convinced Canal Plus to launch the first professional competition of rugby in Spain, SuperIbérica de Rugby. The 2010 edition of the 3 months competition was canceled, the 2011 edition could start in late April. This could be another opportunity for Martin Heredia to show all his abilities...

Sevens World Series = ATP World Tour

It's time for Sevens to become like tennis and launch a true World Series on a weekly basis.
It's time for Sevens to attract big crowds all around the world.
It's time for Sevens to reveal and publicize tournaments Prize Money.

Since its olympic admission, rugby sevens becomes in only several months a successful and profitable sporting show. Sevens had a huge success in most of the multiport events of the last years. Most notable one was during the Asian Games in Guangzhou in November 2010 where a total of 60,000 spectators attended to the stadium during two days to see China men's team finish fourth ! At least, China women's team finish second. In July of 2009, Sevens attract more than 70,000 in 2 days in Kaohsiung (Taiwan) for the World Games. Rising Asia seems really interested in Sevens. Thousand will come in Hong Kong in March, but also in Adelaïde, Edinburg and London in 2011. Sevens became a one-time event that must be seen when it's coming to your town. Sevens manage to become what tennis did in the 70s, a worldwide entertaining sport.

Now, the IRB shouldn't wait too much to organize a global World Series with different levels of points given. The 8-event current world series is just a small start of what it will be. In the near future, we could see a structured schedule from october to july with 2 or 3 rest periods. Based on the current sevens tournament in the world, it's easy to imagine several tiers of tournaments. A 30-tournaments World Series could contain new events in Moscow (next World Cup host), Rio (next Olympic tournament host) but also some tournaments in the US where Sevens definitely broke through this year. Tokyo, Ghangzhou, Shanghaï, Nairobi, Auckland, Sydney, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hannover, Mar del Plata, Taiwan, Madrid are some of the cities where you can bring Sevens without fear.

A very soon MLR ?

The IRB tried to do it for years, it seems Americans by themselves will do it in several months. The most waiting professional league of rugby in the United States is nearer and nearer. In a recent tweet exchange, USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville answer me : "@rugbyglobal @mcuban yes, I have interest from a group of investors, its the next step for us...". You should ask you what Mark Cuban does in it. Simple, "@mcuban @NigelMelville Do you think it's time to launch a small pro league of #rugby in soccer-specific stadiums ? Is #NBC interested ?" was my original tweet. Maybe you ignore this, but Mark Cuban is a former rugby player. He already said in several interviews how he enjoyed the game, so his name frequently appears when you talk about possible investors in Pro Rugby. But Mark Cuban is not the only influent man who played rugby during his youth. That's the advantage of the game "for barbarians played by gentlemen". Two former US president, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush or Tony O'Reilly, former CEO of Heinz played rugby at different level. Money turns around US rugby since a long time, the problem was rugby unable to catch it.
What's new now ? Three words : Major League Soccer or specifically Soccer Specific Stadiums. The MLS is making its financial model by building human size cheaper stadiums. But now these stadiums are built, the question of their commercial success appears. They need events, they need to attract spectators. So what sport better matches association football pitch ? Rugby football ! Same size, same grass surface, same origin. Stadiums in Europe did the conversion every nearly week. USA Rugby quickly understand this and organized rugby events in The Home Deport Center (LA), Dick's Sporting Goods Park (Denver), Toyota Park (Chicago), Rio Tinto Stadium (Salt Lake), Colombus Crew Stadium, Red Bull Arena (NY) and soon at PPL Park (Philadelphia). All Soccer-specific stadiums but Pizza Hut Park in Dallas hosted or will host rugby events. It's now easy to understand why several MLS owners expressed interest in rugby. The most recent one is Robb Heineman, owner of Sporting Kansas City. He simply said he wants a pro rugby franchise in the new KC Soccer Stadium ! . When you see Nigel Melville tweet, you understand discussions are improving fast. When USA Rugby finally catch NBC as a rugby sevens broadcaster, the next step was broadcasting American rugby on a weekly basis, and nothing else than a professional league can allow this, so yes, the Major League Rugby is very near. And the MLS could participate because the MLR financial model will be the same as for soccer. In both sports, US National Team usually goes to the World Cup, is improving, but failed to win the trophy. Both sports massively attract a foreign-born or foreign descent population. Both sports correspond to an alternative way in sports. Both sports have a strong world wide fan base. Most of all, both sports have big financial supports.
The history of the MLS proves the 1994 FIFA World Cup wasn't the key to success. Don Garber bring success to the MLS changing the league strategy in 1999, assuming the foreign origin of soccer. Investors want to do the same with rugby and found common interests with stadium owners.