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World League controversy: 'Nothing has been decided yet, and I doubt it will' - Pichot

Sam Underhill is tackled by Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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Augustin Pichot has been tweeting about the unfolding World League controversy this afternoon – suggesting that it is anything but a done deal.

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News broke last night of further details of the World League and how it will be run, and the plans have been met with widespread condemnation.

The New Zealand Herald reported that a 12-team World League – where teams from the Rugby Championship and Six Nations will be joined by the United States and Japan – is set to go ahead after leading nations came to an agreement. An unknown broadcaster has also offered to back the concept in a deal that will provide up to NZ$14m for each nation every season.

Rumours of the proposal have been floating around for several months and there is thought to be some urgency to sign off on the concept with plans to launch by 2020.

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The new format will reportedly see all 12 participating nations meet once a year, with a finals series contested at the end of the year.

Senior players from around the globe – including Jonny Sexton, Owen Farrell and Kieran Read – were united in voicing their concern about the proposed format, largely to do with player welfare.

Pichot has been reacting to the controversy via his Twitter account and has apparently broken from the World Rugby partyline.

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The World Rugby Vice-President has positioned himself as a champion of Tier 2 nations since taking up the role, and has become something of a voice of descent within an organisation that has traditionally been dominated by the rugby world’s richest unions.

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Phantom 34 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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