How does WXV look after one weekend? Here are a few pointers.
Safety
‘Smart mouthguards for all’. All the more necessary as less experienced players infringe. The greater the disparity in team skills, the greater the difference in the speed of play. Consequence: higher likelihood of tackles arriving late or poorly targeted.
Fortunately, the number of cards flourished thus far is within bounds.
Yellows: Sillari (Italy), Tisolo (Fiji), Leuta (Samoa), Sazontova and Chebotar (Kazakhstan). But one or two decisions looked to err on the side of leniency.
Choice of Venues
Here the WXV authorities had a real problem.
First they had to ensure the basic necessities, adequate accommodation for six squads of 30, with all the support facilities. Second, a suitable ground or grounds. Third, accessibility. And so on.
The three choices were New Zealand, copper-bottomed; second South Africa, third Dubai.
We have already seen the latter two in action, hosting WXV2 and 3 respectively. Initial reactions were less than optimal. Why Dubai with its intense heat? Where were the thousands of fans to be found in a centre known only for its Sevens tournaments, most spectators arriving from distant lands? The answers might be similar to those provided for a parallel football World Cup decision.
The heat alone brought the decision into grave doubt. How was player-welfare being secured? Drinks breaks are all very well, but the game is supposed to be continuous, not a series of interruptions that allow less fit players the chance to catch their breath.
The Stellenbosch stadium is named after Danie Craven, a great servant and ambassador of South African rugby. Yet its terraces were noticeably empty too, in a country devoted to the game.
But then, how many nations could promise to bring decent crowds to neutral matches? Even NZ struggled during the latest RWC.
Timing
Sally Horrox was fully aware of the difficulties; the tournament would clash with a thrilling men’s RWC in France and sevens tournaments around the globe. While Kenya were suffering against Spain in Dubai, their sevens squad was completing three wins in a day at the African 7s Cup in Tunis.
But WXV had already been postponed for a year for reasons that hardly need recounting. Any further delay would have brought it cheek-by-jowl up against the next RWC in England.
It remains to be seen how successful the Kiwi authorities are in attracting decent crowds to WXV1 matches. The first match, England v Australia, has ‘tickets for sale’ five days before kick-off.
Then again, any destination would be wonderful for nations unused to travelling the world.
WXV2
Take a look at the three results from Round One: Italy 28 Japan 15; Scotland 31 South Africa 17 and USA 36 Samoa 26. The organisers could scarcely have wished for better. In each case the losing side reached double figures; Samoa gained a losing bonus point.
Each of the six competing nations has its own tale of past successes and disappointments to tell. Their response has been to offer the spectators and viewers some compelling rugby.
WXV3 results
We had to expect wide margins of victory. It’s a blessing that only one game finished in a shut- out, Spain’s 32-0 win over Kenya, and even there las Leonas’ total was not vast.
The one unsavoury score was Ireland’s century of points against Kazakhstan (109-0), but precisely there we have the reason for WXV’s existence: to give nations deprived of quality test matches the chance to gain or regain a standing. In the long run it will benefit the Kazakh cause vastly.
Oddments
Kazakhstan were absent from the last two RWCs because of 7s priority. They are now now rebuilding thnks to a change of attitude at government level. Despite this backing, rugby remains a minority sport centred on the capital Almaty. Gymnastics is the No1.
Three Europeans are returning to NZ: Cokayne (England), Tuipulotu (Wales), Feleu (France)
Each nation has a double target: success in WXV and the build-up to the next RWC. Hence the presence of so many youngsters in the ranks. We just have to hope that the limit of three games doesn’t deprive any of them the time to show their worth. Coaches have to decide between securing vital victories and giving youth its chance.
It’s only four months since Fijiana were paid the money that was long overdue from the Fiji board.
On 7 October, when Samoa Manusina played South Africa and drew 17-17 all, they had nine debutants in the squad. That is how short of international experience they were.
Nanni Raineri was partly satisfied with Italy’s win over Japan. They had lost when they met the Sakura recently. But he felt they relaxed their effort in the second half. Against a tough team like South Africa that will not be an option next weekend.
