Rugby World Cup 2019, World Rugby and Sri Lanka
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The Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2019, in Japan, is less than a year away. This is the first time the RWC will be held in Asia, and also outside the traditional heartlands of World Rugby (WR). The 9th RWC will be from September 20, 2019, to November 2. This is also an opportunity to reach and inspire millions of new Rugby fans across the most populous continent which has 60% of the youth population of the world. A key motive behind the decision of WR to bring the RWC to Asia is the potential market. This will also probably be the last time a RWC is held in Asia for a generation. Cultural differences will set apart this RWC from the others held to date, for fans used to comfort and more traditional venues.
There was a highly successful tour of the RWC trophy, the Webb Ellis Cup traveling through India, China, Hong Kong and the Philippines. It was greeted enthusiastically in these countries. Other than for Japan, the game, in Asia, has not reached the competitive level of those countries in the heart of Rugby. Yet, according to a quoted Neilson report, there are 112 million Rugby fans across Asia, which is more than that of any other continent. The Sri Lanka (SL) Rugby Union has one of the the longest traditions of organised Club Rugby in Asia, dating back to 1879. SL has moved from the shouts of “Pass, Pass” to an era of “Denna, Denna” (give, give). The game, they say, has expanded and the numbers quoted on the WR website suggests so.
The number of Schools in Rugby too has soared and the game is one of the recognised sports in the calendar of the Educational authorities.The attendance is much more than what one would see in other countries in Asia, with the exception of Japan. The game at Club level see the same 8 numbers which has prevailed over the years, except for a short respite when we had 9 or 10. The stagnant 8 is like the stagnant position SL is in Asian Rugby, both in 7s as well as XVs.
The parachuted additions to Club Rugby were unable to sustain themselves and we are back to 8. The game, however, has evolved to be semi-professional, with coaches and players being paid. In the popular schools Rugby is quasi professional, as coaches are paid and players move to add to the fortunes of some. On the other hand, the purse for Rugby in Schools is getting bigger. Despite the exclamations and proclamations, National Rugby has not seen any improvement in similar proportion. The input to National Rugby is meager and there are many dropouts. The latest fad seems to be the tendency to send School teams abroad for better exposure or, as a reward or, for sightseeing with a match thrown in between. Despite grumbling, the required dough is coughed up. The game is sought after and is popular. The game is expanding, while the quest for vanity, at least in Schools Rugby, is rocketing.
It is in this backdrop that the 3rd Leg of the Asian 7s series is played in Colombo. While you read this; it will be Day 2. The National side, placed 3rd in Hong Kong and slid to 6 in Korea, has a good chance to redeem lost prestige, with hopes of being at least 3 or 4 in the overall standing. They have a great chance of making to the last 4, having been drawn together with Hong Kong and the unpredictable China in Pool ‘B’. SL, plagued by injuries to players including the Captain, will look different under a veteran leading them. By the time this column is in print, we will know whether SL has made it to the last 4. That will also be a reason for local Rugby fans to brave the weather and paddle to the Race Course.
The bigger issue that needs to be focused is that, as WR is trying to forge a lasting impact and a strong foothold in Asia through the 2019 RWC in Japan, SL, possibly among the oldest Rugby playing Nations, should have been in the front line of recognition, when the Web Ellis Trophy toured. At least for history and posterity, if not for numbers. When WR is talking about creating a sustainable legacy through event planning, what can we say of the local legacy of Rugby. The boot should be on the right foot for running to the try line, as well as to add the extra points.