There has been plenty of support for the concept of semifinals and finals for the lower-tier teams at the Rugby World Cup. But how would that have worked? Hayden Meikle explains.
So, the pool stages of the World Cup have ended. The top eight teams are preparing for quarterfinals, and the other 12 have flown home.
Bit of a downer, right? All that colour and excitement has left.
No more grunty Georgians, terrific Tongans and committed Canadians. No more tweets from Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu.
Most world sports events work this way. You have to reward the best teams, after all.
But rugby is far less global than football or basketball or athletics or cycling. The sport could get huge value out of expanding the World Cup playoffs.
My system, which I will happily on-sell to the IRB for a reasonable price, ranks the bottom teams based on pool play records, splits them into a Plate (9-12), a Bowl (13-16) and a Shield (17-20).
Base each one in a single city, play the games on weeknights, don't charge too much and voila.
Good for the fans, more product for the broadcasters and a great chance for rugby minnows to claim some silverware.
Here's what we could have ended up with this year.-
• Plate
Venue: Otago Stadium, Dunedin.
Semifinals: Scotland v Tonga, Samoa v Italy.
Final: Tonga v Samoa.
Winner: The clash of the Pacific powers is too close to call, after both shock their Six Nations opponents in the semifinals. Tonga dominates the first half through its forwards, but the Samoan backs exploit some tiring defence. Samoa wins 27-16.
• Bowl
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton.
Semifinals: Canada v USA, Fiji v Georgia.
Final: Canada v Georgia.
Winner: The Canucks celebrated long and hard after beating their American neighbours in the semifinals, and they look hungover for the first 79 minutes of the final. But Georgia only leads by four and Canada grabs a try through flanker Adam Kleeberger.
Canada wins 17-16.
• Shield
Venue: Rotorua International Stadium.
Semifinals: Japan v Namibia, Russia v Romania.
Final: Japan v Romania.
Winner: Japan cruises into the final with a 50-point win over Namibia, whereas the Romanians limp in after a bunfight against the Russians.
John Kirwan's work with Japan finally leads to a reward, and an offer to replace Mark Hammett as Hurricanes coach. Japan wins 36-10.