Talk of a new “World 12s” Competition planned for next year is pretty intriguing.
Billed as "a natural evolution for Rugby union,” and backed, apparently, by a UK-based financial consortium, the idea is for a new twelve-a-side tournament to be held annually in a different global destination each year, the inaugural men’s competition being planned for August 2022 in England, with a women’s competition being added in 2023 (the women’s World Cup taking precedence next year).
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Much like the IPL in cricket, the plan is that 192 of the world’s best players from tier one and tier two nations will selected via auction to represent eight franchised teams.
My initial reaction, I have to admit, is one of scepticism.
Despite claims that the the competition will complement the existing global calendar, I really don’t see how that can be, and can’t believe that World Rugby will get on board with this.
I also don’t see the appeal of attempting to support one of eight random franchised teams which, presumably, will have no geographical affiliation (unlike the IPL or the recently completed “The Hundred” in cricket, the latter of which was surprisingly compelling, despite my initial cynicism).
Still, clearly World 12s is a serious proposition – with former RFU CEO Ian Ritchie being its chairman and with the likes of Steve Hansen and Jake White on board as ambassadors.
And with a promise of “unprecedented prize money” for the tournament winners, as we all know, money talks.
