Miles Davis on the Rugby World Cup: Rugby's madams intent on whoring the game

IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset and John Key. Photo / Chris Loufte

Opinion

The Rugby World Cup has convinced me of two things: Kiwis can host a great party and rugby at the top level is no longer a sport.

The game has now become nothing more than a vehicle to generate money, power and influence.

Those in charge are no longer caring custodians of the game but pimps prostituting the sport for their own ends. In fact, that comparison is unfair to the more traditional prostitute, who sets boundaries for those paying the money.

Show the International Rugby Board or a national union a sponsor's cheque or a broadcasting deal, and every whim is pandered to. Everything is geared around maximising profit- bugger the fans or the integrity of the game.

Fan zones are introduced not so that people can congregate but so that they can be corralled into a controlled environment and maximise sales for the sponsors.

Infractions of the laws of the game are punished less severely than those contravening the sponsors' charter.

Late kick-off times, rule changes, television match officials and unfair treatment of second-tier playing nations have all been the result of desperation to suit the broadcaster's requirements rather than for the good of the sport.

Even the New Zealand Government sold its soul in desperation to curry favour with the IRB. They found the capacity to pass laws to protect sponsors in a day but can take years to pass laws to protect our children.

Of course, money is important in the professional era but the primary focus of those in charge of rugby should be the maintenance of the spirit of the game and upholding the social values which rugby teaches us:

The importance of teamwork, respect and consideration of others.

That handling success with grace and dignity is as important as doing the same in defeat.

That the honour of playing for your country is more important than the treasonous act of changing nationality at the drop of a hat for personal gain and to increase your marketability.

To properly discharge their obligations, the game's leaders need to occasionally resist the demands of the money men and put the sport first.

They need to realise that rugby is not a better game because of money; merely a more expensive one to run.

Sadly, the culture is too entrenched for such things to change.

The madams in charge of the rugby brothel will continue whoring the sport to the highest bidder.

Miles Davis is an Englishman and Radio Sport host.