It would be hard to think of a more ill-conceived muddle-headed idea than South Africa being randomly parachuted into the Six Nations.
It would leave Italy — and other aspiring European nations — banished to the wilderness. I shake my head yet again at rugby’s total inability to manage its affairs properly and promote growth and development.
Rugby union is light years behind where it should be and a good deal of that can be placed at the Six Nations’ door.
Sir Clive Woodward is against the idea of adding South Africa to the Six Nations (Faf de Klerk pictured celebrating against Wales)
It is a great tournament for those lucky enough to be involved but it is invitation-only and has selfishly stifled European rugby for the best part of a century. It is why rugby is only a middling, niche sport worldwide compared to many others.
I have many objections to the notion of South Africa joining the Six Nations but top of my list is that there is a much better alternative crying out to be adopted. I totally accept that the Six Nations could do with some tweaks but there are infinitely better options. The Six Nations need to open their eyes and not be blindsided by the alleged promises of extra revenue.
CVC Capital Partners have become involved in the sport for one reason: to make money — for them, not the rugby community.
They are not a charity. They have rightly identified that rugby is disastrously run and is well below its potential. So I give them credit for that but, like any venture capitalist, they want a system that works best for them.
Who will be benefiting from such a radical change to the Six Nations? Unions or investors; individuals, executives or the grassroots game?
Europe should be the sport’s powerhouse but the Six Nations has always been an elite, members-only club, deliberately divorced from the world game.
Historically, they blocked France, then let them in, expelled them and let them in again. They ignored Italy and Romania when they were…
Source : dailymail
