Opinion: Open rugby door and let emerging nations play

Doug Laing, staff reporter, Hawke's Bay Today.

It may be 15 months away, but it could be a quick 15 months as the All Blacks build up to the defence of the Rugby World Cup next year.

Elements of doubt are creeping in ahead of three tests against France, at a time when the national game is not generally in the best of shape, a part-salvage resting on the shoulders of coach Steve Hansen CNZM in this chilly winter of discontent.

But what is rugby doing, when it keeps its international schedule so elite, an aloofness shutting emerging nations out and denying its public the chance to observe the game's global expansion.

Tonga play Georgia and Japan play Italy this week, when really such Nos 11-14 ranked nations should by now have regular footy against the top teams, in a world where all sorts of nations are getting it on together around the globe.

This degree of stuffiness does raise questions about whether our national game is keeping up with the play.

Rugby is not in the best of shape among some of our traditional rivals either, which leaves quite some questions en route to the November 2019 final at Yokohama's International Stadium.

Just 12 teams have played Rugby World Cup playoffs, of which only eight have played semifinals, and only five have made the final, in which the ABs seem certain next year to again play a part.

But when will the game itself offer others the chance to get up to speed, to be able to also join the action on the final night?