World 12s

[Son of Mathonwy]

Another rugby format - World 12s:

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-qa-d ... all-about/

Although it might be an interesting variation on Rugby Union in theory, personally it's hard to see this venture as much other than an attempt to extract money at a time a lot of unions are struggling, and to remove a big chunk of rest time for the affected players.

What do people think?

[Puja]

We've been talking about it on the EMB and have come to the conclusion that it's a load of shite that'll never get off the ground. Their mooted "£250 million across 5 years" is in the same bank that the Brexit dividends are being stored, there's no room for it in the calendar even if the money was realistic (and they could pay sufficient bribes to clubs who own the players contracts and have no particular interest in lending them out), and the most enthusiastic that World Rugby has been is, "We're aware of the concept".

Ian Ritchie and Steve Tew are pocketing a wedge from an overly enthusiatic financier somewhere and selling vaporware.

Plus, we already have a short form version of the game that travels around the world. And even when it's the Olympic Games, very few superstar players can prise themselves loose from the XVs calendar. Actually, if this 12s game ever gets played, I suspect most of the "stars" will be 7s specialists topping up their paycheques.

Puja

[Sandydragon]

Personally I hate the idea. If you want an alternative format then try sevens which has its own format and following. The XV season is already very congested and this would do nothing to help. Plus can you see club owners readily giving up more time for their key players?

[Digby]

Personally I hate the idea. If you want an alternative format then try sevens which has its own format and following. The XV season is already very congested and this would do nothing to help. Plus can you see club owners readily giving up more time for their key players?

If they're right about £250 million being on the table then sure, and happily for a big enough share. Quite where that money is actually coming from and why it's more than just about any RWC would raise is likely open to question, because it seems like the sort of number Priti Patel or Diane Abbott would have said they should attach

[Son of Mathonwy]

Hopefully it will come to nothing.

[morepork]

There really are some dumb fucks with too much money in rugby circles.

[Digby]

They don't have money, they have a projection that the income streams will create that sort of sum over 5 years

[Sandydragon]

There really are some dumb fucks with too much money in rugby circles.

Arguably they have some money but not enough.

[Puja]

World Rugby have said they're not interested: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59067701 The organisers are still bullish, but that should effectively kill it before it was born.

Puja

[Digby]

If I had to guess anyone backing this is looking to find a way to make a run around play to any investment agreed by CVC. And probably they should just have got their ducks in a row much earlier