The Rugby World Cup is a highly anticipated moment for fans of this sport around the world. However, it often highlights the disparities between major rugby nations and developing teams. This year, teams like Chile and Namibia struggled to compete with the big nations and found themselves eliminated in the group stage.
The problems facing these developing teams are numerous. First, they often lack the means to prepare optimally. Professional players and quality infrastructure are necessary to progress and compete with the best teams. Unfortunately, these resources are often absent in developing countries, placing them at a distinct disadvantage.
Additionally, these teams rarely have the opportunity to play high-level matches outside of major competitions like the World Cup. They therefore lack the training and experience necessary to face the strongest teams. This often results in defeats by large margins, which do not necessarily reflect their real level of play.
Faced with this reality, many voices are being raised in the world of rugby to demand reforms to help emerging nations. Former World Rugby vice-president Agustin Pichot is one of the strong advocates of this development. He maintains that it is necessary to put in place long-term sustainable measures to allow these teams to progress and establish themselves on the international scene.
It is also important to emphasize that the development of rugby in these countries has an impact well beyond the sport. It contributes to the education of young people, social cohesion and the promotion of the values of respect, fair play and team spirit.
It is therefore essential that concrete actions are taken to support these developing teams. This involves financial and logistical support from the governing bodies, but also through the creation of regional and international competitions which would allow them to compete against teams of their level.
In conclusion, it is essential to recognize the challenges that developing teams face at the Rugby World Cup. It is time to put in place concrete reforms and supports to enable these emerging nations to develop and compete with the best. Rugby is a universal sport, which must offer equal opportunities to all countries wishing to invest in this exciting universe.