Robin Brooke: Global calendar idea worth another look

COMMENT

What about reactivating some of the WRC proposals from 1995?

It would be difficult to see the New Zealand Rugby Union returning to that messy time for solutions as it reviews its competitions, but I still believe the ideas behind WRC had some merit.

The greatest advantage would be the introduction of a global calendar. If that could be done now, then a lot of the clutter and problems faced by the twin hemispheres would be removed.

Rugby also needs to broaden the number of nations at the top level.

For too long the World Cup has been contested by the same small group.

Under the WRC plans unveiled in 1995, three conferences would have begun matches at the same time to find a section winner. A wildcard team would have made the playoffs.

Then the internationals would have started, with the benefit that tests were all taking place at the same time of the year.

It would have turned Northern Hemisphere rugby into a summer game.

It would help resolve the persistent arguments about the global season, debate and self-interest which is impeding the sport.

The Pacific Islands nations who are cut out of the current deals would be included. It would let players experience life overseas somewhere such as Japan - they could play for a conference side there and still be eligible for the All Blacks.

The same would apply to someone such as Josh Kronfeld, who could play for a franchise based near Leicester but still be available for the All Blacks.

A WRC conference series would have fed the professional arm of the sport, while the NPC could continue as a feeder competition for recreational players and those aspiring to greater levels.

The concept remains valid, although a huge amount of work would have to be done.

If that is not acceptable I would favour ditching the Super 12 to replace it with a twin-round NPC series, although I accept that the costs would be horrendous. On current figures it would take about $40 million each year to hold the professional players for that sort of competition and the All Blacks.

It is a massive amount of money, although peanuts in world terms, when you find soccer teams paying one player double that amount in transfer fees and payments for a year's work.

Watching the even level of sides in the NPC and subsequent uncertainty about results convinces me there should be some sort of salary cap in that competition.

Foregone conclusions do not deliver strong, compelling competitions, and, with or without All Blacks in the NPC, the best series is one with even teams.

When Auckland were so dominant, that was fine for us players, while other sides used to raise their level to try to beat us. But after a while our dominance was too great, frustration levels grew and I can understand people who came along wanting to see us lose.

If there is a greater equilibrium in the NPC, as we are seeing this year, then the Ranfurly Shield should also shift around. That would continue the mystique surrounding the famous trophy.

If the stars turn out in the NPC without being distributed round the provinces, then Auckland and Canterbury will win most of the time. That cannot be healthy for the sport and, while it might seem a strange concept, the more even the NPC the more I like it.