GEORGIA COACH Milton Haig has called for a Seven Nations after watching his side put in a solid showing in Friday’s 43-10 defeat to New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup.
Despite making a plethora of changes to his starting XV, Haig’s men trailed the world champions just 29-10 with less than 10 minutes remaining at the Millennium Stadium before a late All Blacks surge.
Last month Romania coach Lynn Howells spoke of his desire for a two-tier Six Nations with promotion and relegation to give opportunities to supposed weaker teams.
And Haig is also keen for his team to be allowed to mix it with Europe’s best on a yearly basis.
“The Seven Nations, it’s certainly something that I’ve been speaking publicly about every opportunity I get,” New Zealander Haig said.
“Something like this is absolutely crucial for us because in the long run if we develop into a competitive national side consistently, that’s the kind of competition we need.
“You can see by Argentina’s progress and inclusion in the Rugby Championship how far their team has come along.
“We understand it’s a very difficult decision for the six partners to make, but I think it would grow the game globally and it would open up a big market in eastern Europe. It’s something they should consider.”
The 2 tier comp with relegation and promotion definitely makes sense. Not feasible to have a 7/8 nations comp. Excellent WC so far which the 2nd tier nations have contributed to in a massive way. Hopefully these teams will be carried along and not left behind. Regular competative games in a recognised competition. top tier teams touring these nations and giving them a fair cut of gate receipts etc.. Sort out the residency rules to prevent the bigger nations poaching players. The players relevant clubs being obliged to allow them to play with their national sides.
again how do you fit this into the current rugby calender while maintaining and growing revenue for the existing 6ns teams? remember the french and English clubs hold the registration of most of these players and currently refuse to release them outside the of the window. any changes have to increase revenue and fit in the window.
A two-tier comp with promotion/relegation would not need to take up any additional fixtures in the calendar: the B division games could be played the same weekend as the A (6 Nations).
The only additional fixtures would be needed if there were a playoff system. Not sure that would be necessary/desirable.
Two leg promotion/relegation tie in the November window. Wooden spooners v European trophy winners
They’d probably do better than Italy.
I agree with him and it would fit in with the current 6 nations window too. it evens up the home v away fixtures and each team retain 2 free weekends. only difference being that one of those free weekends rotates from team to team.
They already have a 2 tier 6 nations, it’s called the European Nations Cup, with Georgia winning the last 5 in a row.
Because there is still a gap between say the bottom 6 nations team of Scotland/Italy and Georgia, I would only suggest a two legged playoff between them.
If Georgia can’t win that against the worst 6 nations team it’s a waste of time them joining, would only be getting hockeyed by the big boys
I’d be more inclined with promotion/relegation. Bottom goes down, 5th plays home and away playoff with 2nd in the 2nd tier. It’d be fantastic for all involved.
where would you fit that into rugby calender while maintaining / growing revenue?
Very easily fitted in Tim.
where though?
November internationals.
I like the idea of 2 tier 6 nations. Although I think there is a gap in quality between the likes of Georgia and Romania and the team who finishes last in the 6 nations( Italy of Scotland most likely). I would suggest a relation/promotion playoff to ensure the top 6 teams always play in the 6 nations
We’re all inclusive here!! Let Georgia and Romania into the competition!!
Why not.
It’s a fair request. Are Georgia any worse than Italy were when the Six Nations was formed? Probably not, maybe even a bit better. Italy and more recently Argentina have shown how much you can improve if your opposition is better.
Italy were on the downward curve of their peak when they joined the 6N – they hockeyed Scotland at home in their first game if memory serves. They still had players like Diego Dominguez
really think Canada and USA should be included in a two tier competition. it’s not that far when you consider the distances travelled in the southern hemisphere. it would really help develop rugby globally.
Interesting idea, Alice. If games were played on the east coast (NY/Boston, Toronto/Montreal) they would certainly be able to attract some reasonable crowds. Imagine Ireland v USA in Boston on Paddy’s weekend!
Does kind of abandon Uruguay, mind you.
I think it might make more sense to put together a Pacific tournament: Japan, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, USA, Canada, Uruguay.
They are, they have the Pacific tournament with the Island nations plus Japan, Canada and USA, they all get a fairly decent level of competition against each other. Georgia on the other hand, while they have the European Nations Cup, this is of a lower standard, just Romania then the rest are tier 3 nations, they should definitely introduce promotion and relegation to the 6 Nations
I agree imagine how much they’d improve I think they’re on par with italy
If an expansion or introduction of relegation doesn’t happen, why not introduce a European Championship similar to UEFA. Play it during the Lions tour years, so that the other European teams are getting exposure to professional teams at least every two years between the world cup and this competition