More than 75% of the income generated globally by rugby union comes from the international game. It is the reason why those who run the sport, World Rugby, are this week gathered in Sydney pondering how to reinvigorate all the Test rugby that takes place between World Cups.
Friendly matches, which make up 56% of Test fixtures, are losing their allure. Teams arrive on tour at the end of long, arduous seasons, often below strength and not at their most motivated. New Zealand remain a draw but Australia and South Africa, who have lost dozens of players to clubs in Europe and Japan, have mutated from vaunted to vulnerable.
Written by Paul Rees
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/sep/27/world-rugby-overhaul-international-calendar under the title “World Rugby’s Sydney committee meetings will struggle to resolve anything | Paul Rees”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
