A lot more reported detail being reported on this, much of which contradicts the Sudamerica president (depsite both recent articles coming from Uruguay). Whether he was talking rubbish or the goalposts are shifting due to a backlash, who knows (assuming this article is credible).
World Rugby decidirá formalmente el 24 de octubre el nuevo mapa de competencias, con un mapa muy favorable a los países del Tier 1
www.elobservador.com.uy
Quite complex:
- it is believed there will be promotion playoffs every 4 years between the bottom 2 sides from the top league (1 from "north" and one from "south") versus the top 2 from the second division (again possibly top team from both hemisphere?)
- the first possible promotion is in 2032 following promotion playoffs in 2030
- there will continue to be Tier1 vs Tier2 friendly matches, but Japan and Fiji will count as Tier1 playing against second division sides (Tier2)
- suggestion of no revenue sharing with the two sides in the top division not from 6N and SANZAAR.
- the number of cross tier friendly games a side must play is based on their position within their division
- a rough estimate that the number of cross tier games will be the same as in recent years.
- World rugby can line up cross tier matches for 'wild card' teams that do not qualify based on ranking (which will be their chums the PIs and Canada and the US for 2031 if those sides aren't ranked highly enough)
- tournaments to be announced on October 24th
This still isn't wonderful but would be far better than what the Sudamerica president thought would happen. Everything hinges on a guarantee that the promotion playoffs will take place. It must be guaranteed when it is announced or it will likely never happen (especially seeing how vulnerable Australia and Italy would be to relegation).
Personally I would prefer straight promotions rather than playoffs, but this isn't a deal breaker for me.
Its still better than the status quo and I support cross tier matches being based on ranking in the leagues (or world ranking). It would permit a Tier2 union that is run well to get promoted and establish themselves at the top table. It would result in Tier1 unions that underperform being dropped to an appropriate location.
In such circumstances there is more potential for a Tier2 nation to grow a fanbase and improve on field performance. Whereas at the moment this is almost impossible because sponsors are not interested in lesser tournaments and in nations with no route to the top table. If I was a young Tier2 player, or a Tier2 fan, I would see a route to the top and be motivated by that. Well, if I was a young Tier2 player in 5 or so years I should say given the painfully slow introduction of this (promotion only possible after the third edition of the tournament for some reason).
