International matches
Is the International game as appealing, as special as eagerly anticipated now as it was ten years ago, or has the increased number of Test matches diluted the hunger?
I am not just talking about the summer tours, which in all honestly are a complete balls up in every aspect. The teams are hugely weakened, the crowds are heavily down and the benefits to either side are hard to imagine.Not great.
But even the November Test matches in the UK are losing their appeal. We are seeing the sides too often. Playing one Test against the Boks, one against the Aussies and then maybe one against Argentina gets a little pointless after a few years.
My solution would be the following.
New Zealand, South Africa and Australia only play England every three years. That is that each side comes up and plays a series of three Tests, every three years. So the tests themselevs have relevance, one could be played in the North each year to attract a new audience, and the touring team could then play mid week matches at the top three club sides as an incentive to them.
It would mean that we only see the All Blacks every three years, and the same with the other sides. That I think would bring back the interest, as would a three test series, so that there is genuine relevance, and edge to the games.
Just a thought in the modern age, where we just seem to be pilling games on games and none of them are very appealing and few of them even feature full sides.
4 comments:
Actually I think the Rugby World Cup has so distorted perception of international rugby that games outside the major competitions will become increasingly pointless.
We will see players "retiring" between world cups, taking the time to add a year or two to their career whilst earning a little for their pension fund. Any other internationals will eventually become development opportunities, and the authorities should own up to the fact and not try to market them as anything else. The problem for the IRB is that without revenue from internationals they become increasingly irrelevant.
For me this issue hinges on one factor .......... will both teams (will all teams!) always field their best team.
If they do then the current autumn internationals are good, should be kept and provide a build-up to the 6N.
If they do not, then the touring team should be forced to travel by boat.
England will be without Andy Farrell, James Simpson-Daniel, Mike Brown and Andy Hazell for the second Test against South Africa on Saturday, Strettle has already gone home.
Will, do you have your boots handy?
Chris,
Thanks for the thought!! tried my boots on, but they were a bit tight, must be the water retention in my ankles!! So haen't even thought about trying a shirt on!!!
Will
Post a Comment