ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Tuesday Feb 4, 2020

World Rugby's vice president wasn't consulted on RWC 2023 pool draw timing

World Rugby vice president Agustin Pichot has said that he is “completely against” having the draw for the 2023 Rugby World Cup at the end of this year.

ADVERTISEMENT

There was widespread criticism last week when it was revealed that the draw will take place in late November 2020, three years before the tournament starts in France in 2023. Not only would eight teams still not have qualified, but the rankings could change so much during the intervening time that the pools at the RWC may not actually reflect the balance of power in rugby.

This has clearly been shown in the past, most noticeably in 2015 with a pool consisting of Australia, England and Wales, three of the top four teams in the world.

The former Argentina captain Pichot said on Twitter that he was not “informed or consulted” about this decision, neither were RWC board members Steve Brown, Steve Tew or Michael Hawker.

Pichot has not been afraid to criticise World Rugby in the past, as he also took aim at the ranking system last year which saw Wales climb to world number one. On this occasion, he certainly has a lot of backing from the rugby world.

ADVERTISEMENT

Holding the draw so far in advance of the RWC does help with ticket sales and planning for travelling supporters coming from all corners of the world, and that is partly why World Rugby does this.

However, the drawbacks seem so glaringly obvious that they outweigh any of the reasons behind such a decision. Although football is a more popular sport, the FIFA World Cup draw is held just six months before the tournament starts, and there is still no problem with ticket sales.

The timing of the draw is not a new thing, and it has grown increasingly unpopular, but this shows that those in World Rugby are not keen either.

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:

ADVERTISEMENT
Video Spacer

Related Articles

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    Former international captain retires

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    Tonga Qualify Rugby World Cup

  • 46 WEEKS AGO

    Julian Savea offers himself to the All Blacks...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 1 DAY AGO

    The latest member of the Tuilagi Rugby dynasty dominates in the Top 14 promotion play-off

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Springbok winger with the most athletic non-try of the season

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Jack Crowley drops the ball on dime for brilliant Munster try in URC Final

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: World class offload from James O’Connor Leads To Long Range Reds Try

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster up and running with two incredible tries inside the first five minutes

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Marcos Kremer shown red card for reckless shot on Finn Russell

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Heroic tackle from Spanish 7s player goes viral

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    No sanction handed down by SANZAAR for tackle that left Reds player with a fractured neck

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Cheslin Kolbe Dominates Sebastian Cancelliere with back-to-back big tackles

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Barbarians Vs World XV highlights

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Silly Skill From Toulouse Fullback Highlights French Confidence

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

View All

Funnies

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    "Hey Manie oh ah I wanna know if I can block that kick" – Munster's hilarious new song

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Munster Rugby loving life in Cape Town Following URC Final Victory

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: La Rochelle Players Gate Crash O’Gara Interview

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Stade Rochelais Coaches With All-Time Coaches Box Celebration

View All

Amateur

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 3 HOURS AGO

    Legendary playmaker announces new move

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Horrific footage has emerged of Mohamed Haouas attack on wife

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    French international receives prison sentence for attack on wife

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    John Afoa breaks record on return to Super Rugby

View All