Verdict on World Cup and lessons both rugby and Paris Olympics must learn
At times the two-month long Rugby World Cup in France was all we hoped it would be.
From 60,000 Irish fans belting out Zombie to Siya Kolisi singing his way into the winners’ press conference, there were moments of joy to mix with high drama.
We won’t easily forget Ireland’s win over South Africa, Fiji giving Australia a bloody nose, Wales trouncing Eddie Jones’ hapless team, the Springboks breaking English hearts.
Portugal grabbing their first win and being welcomed home as conquering heroes, Fiji setting aside acute disappointment to make music as they boarded their flight.
In snapshots this was a tournament rich in colour, but there was not enough to consider it an overwhelming success.
Ex-Scotland coach wants "immature" national anthem axed on eve of Six Nations
Sharing the night football-mad Marseille emptied onto the streets to watch France play and experiencing that ‘greatest ever’ quarter-final weekend, are special memories.
Ireland celebrate victory over South Africa (above), sparking unforgettable scenes with entire stadium singing Zombie. England fans (below) in full voice against Fiji (PA Wire)
(Getty Images)But the lasting impression is of a World Cup disjointed, over-controlled, at times officiously, poorly marketed and too often lacking in charm.
Seven weeks from first to last meant days of nothing when momentum was lost. The draw, made three years out with the consequence that rugby’s top-five were in the same half, proved a disaster.
Not allowing water into stadiums when temperatures soared above 30 degrees was crass and ill-judged.
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi confirmed his superstar status on and off the pitch (Getty Images)Staff patrolled the stands chiding fans and media who dared take a video, then the next moment urged those same phones to be brought out to light up the stadium, presumably for the official video.
Worst of all, World Rugby and individual nations pared back media access to the bare minimum in order that ‘content’ went exclusively through their own channels, leaving so many stories untold.
The lowest point came perhaps when World Cup final ref Wayne Barnes had a video taken down by X, formerly Twitter, after a complaint from the ‘copyright owner’. His post was to highlight an example fair play.
Wayne Barnes (centre), the world's best referee, was subjected to "vile" abuse after the final, according to his wife (World Rugby via Getty Images)The reasons all this is important are two-fold. Firstly rugby is a cash-strapped sport in need of all the help it can get when it comes to growth.
The second is that nine months from now, 269 days to be precise, a summer of Olympic and Paralympic sport starts in Paris, a city whose metro stations are hopelessly ill-suited to disabled travellers. Lessons need to be learned.
Too often these days sports lose touch with their fan base and fail in their missionary responsibilities through self-interest. It is easy to spot and not impossible to correct.
England star Joe Marler reflects on lowest point after fight with pregnant wife
Beauden Barrett's try against South Africa was first Springboks had conceded in four World Cup finals (Getty Images)In glimpses this World Cup showed what rugby could be if it chooses to look out rather than in.
Top English clubs are going bust yet the sport is planning for another closed shop Six Nations, another Lions tour to an established country (Australia) and a World Cup in a place (USA) which did not even qualify for this one.
Imagine for a moment if the future featured a Lions tour to South America, taking in Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, whose fans travelled here in such numbers.
England exceeded expectation by taking third place and came close to beating South Africa (AP)Consider a World Cup staged jointly by Portugal and Spain, perhaps with Italy involved too.
Now wouldn’t that be something?
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
