Only WXV3 provides such a wide range of emotions.
First, the unparalleled range of competing nations: Fiji, Hong Kong China, Madagascar, Netherlands, Samoa and Spain.
It’s in this 4-continent group that we can see huge disappointment side by side with unutterable joy. Samoa have been demoted from WXV2; Fiji and Spain couldn’t heave themselves up to WXV2. By contrast, the Dutch will see their participation as a possible key to entry to a World Cup. The Malagasy Republic is delighted to move closer to the big time.
Here we have two European countries, neither allowed into the 6 Nations, two from Oceania, one from Asia, and one from Africa. HKC, NL and Madagascar are the newcomers to the tournament. Madagascar have already announced a training squad of 34 (www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=888888036615896&set=a.468878915283479&locale=en_GB).
Before I comment further, let me offer you my version of the fixture list:
Friday, 27 September 2024
Spain v Madagascar
KO 19:00 Local Time, 16:00 BST
Saturday, 28 September 2024
Fiji v Hong Kong China
KO 18:00 Local Time, 15:00 BST
Netherlands v Samoa
KO 20:30 Local Time, 17:30 BST
Friday, 04 October 2024
Madagascar v Hong Kong China
KO 19:00 Local Time, 16:00 BST
Saturday, 05 October 2024
Fiji v Samoa
KO 18:00 Local Time, 15:00 BST
Netherlands v Spain
KO 20:30 Local Time, 17:30 BST
Friday, 11 October 2024
Samoa v Madagascar
KO 19:00 Local Time, 16:00 BST
Saturday, 12 October 2024
Netherlands v Hong Kong China
KO 18:00 Local Time, 15:00 BST
Fiji v Spain
KO 20:30 Local Time, 17:30 BST
All matches to be played at The Sevens 2 Stadium, Dubai, not celebrated for its support of the 15s game.
Structure
The patterns are as last time: each nation plays three matches only; no question of a round-robin. So much depends on which two opponents a team happens to confront.
It strikes me as a huge pity that a squad will fly halfway across the globe, only to face local rivals, not a nation they are ever likely to meet on another occasion. This happens most obviously to Spain and NL who meet regularly in the European Championship; and to Fiji and Samoa – for them, even more unwelcome. Of course, they love the chance to get the better of their neighbours, but not on this occasion, surely?
If it is simply a matter of securing a place in the 2025 RWC, then fair enough.
The WXV organisers still haven’t indicated whether they will alter the points system. That is surely a central issue that must be sorted. A reminder: table positions were decided on a simple points-basis. So the teams that played the opponents fated to finish sixth would harvest a far greater total than their rivals. Patently unfair. And since promotion and relegation are at stake, it’s even more important that a different system is introduced for this second edition.
Rankings
Here’s how the six stand in the world order:
Spain 13th, Fiji 14th, Netherlands 16th, Hong Kong China 17th, Samoa 18th, Madagascar 25th
It’s comforting to see them packed tightly together, with the one inevitable exception, the Malagasy Republic. That is where the draw will favour the two teams playing them – if the points-system doesn’t alter.
Madagascar are unlikely to have the large, enthusiastic crowds to support them that flock to the stadium in Antananarivo. Indeed that was one of the two biggest black marks against Dubai as the chosen venue last year. The attendances were minute. And inevitably the heat favoured some more than others. Water-breaks aren’t the best way of speeding up the game.
A Look back
Just as a reminder, this was the make-up of WXV2 and WXV3 last year:
WXV2:
Scotland, Italy, South Africa, Japan, USA, Samoa
WXV3
Ireland, Fiji, Spain, Kenya, Kazakhstan, Colombia
So Colombia and Kazakhstan have sadly fallen by the wayside. That is the disadvantage of promotion/relegation. Somehow WR has to ensure that that nations in their position don’t lose their competitive spirit.
