Jake White questions whether the standard of Tier 1 nations have regressed, or if emerging nations have progressed with the support of World Rugby to be more competitive.
Writing for RugbyPass, White reflects on the evolution of rugby while pondering whether the modern game surpasses its predecessors.
He questions if today’s players, with access to advanced training methods and technology, truly outshine legends like Gareth Edwards and Richie McCaw.
White applauds Fiji’s strong showing at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, won by defending champions the Springboks, against traditional powerhouses like Australia, Wales and England.
The former Springbok coach, now director of rugby at the Vodacom Bulls, acknowledges World Rugby’s investment in levelling the playing field with support provided to Tier 2 teams.
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He mentions the decline of once-prominent sides like Samoa and Romania but celebrates success stories like Italy’s recent victories in the Six Nations.
“At the 2023 World Cup, Fiji beat Australia, and went ever so close to beating Wales and England,” White writes. “Does that mean the Tier 1 nations have actually regressed or the emerging nations have moved forward?
“To be fair to Tier 2 nations, what they do is say, ‘judge us on the World Cups’ because they get access to plentiful support to face the world’s best players.
“Why? Because World Rugby do pump a lot of money in, to the tune of tens of millions through the high-performance department. It’s all to level the playing field.
“They will coach and condition these less well-resourced players to compete. You don’t want only one or two sides being able to win a global competition.”
Photo: World Rugby
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
