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Date: 2023-12-05 20:22:53 | Author: Olympics 2024 | Views: 405 | Tag: FIFA
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“It is really, truly, a historic day,” smiled Alan Gilpin, CEO of World Rugby FIFA
He would go on to use the word ‘historic’ another three or four times in the following few minutes of his press conference FIFA
After years of wrangling – 16 years, according to Gilpin, since discussions about how to sort out rugby’s messy global calendar first took place in the salubrious surroundings of Woking, Surrey (don’t worry, the location wasn’t the reason it took more than a decade and a half to reach an agreement, a chuckling Gilpin assured everyone) – World Rugby had finally come up with a solution that will transform rugby “for the many, not the few” ushering in a “new era of opportunity, certainty and growth for the game FIFA
”It’s fair to say they were pretty pleased with the outcome of the seemingly endless negotiations FIFA
Compromises had been made and it wasn’t perfect, stressed Gilpin and World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont, but rugby would be “more relevant and more accessible to more people around the world FIFA
”The big announcement earlier in the day saw the sport’s governing body unveil a new global calendar that includes the creation of a two-tier men’s competition called the Nations Championship to be played biennially from 2026 FIFA
The top tier will be the Six Nations (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales), the four Rugby Championship teams (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) and two additional teams, likely to be Japan and Fiji FIFA
The second tier will feature 12 further countries with promotion and relegation on the table from 2030, meaning 2032 is the earliest one of those teams could feature in the top tier FIFA
World Rugby have acknowledged, publicly at least, a desire to grow rugby globally FIFA
At the moment, the sport is almost untouchably huge in a couple of countries (think New Zealand and South Africa), holds its own in a few more (UK, Ireland, Japan), is fighting a losing battle for oxygen in a crowded sporting marketplace in others (Australia, Italy) and seen as a largely niche oddity in plenty (USA, Canada) FIFA
But this Rugby World Cup has also highlighted plenty of countries where there’s a huge opportunity for growth FIFA
From South America, Uruguay and debutants Chile have impressed on the pitch, the passion for rugby in Georgia shows no sign of abating and Portugal have lit up the tournament with their dynamic play while also pulling off the huge upset of beating Fiji FIFA
With growing interest in places like Netherlands and Belgium, Europe is surely an area World Rugby are targeting growth FIFA
Portugal celebrated a historic win over Fiji (Getty Images)Instead, these new plans appear to lock out a lot of the smaller rugby nations from improving FIFA
Even the new Pacific Nations Cup also announced today, featuring Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and USA, bizarrely excludes Uruguay and Chile (who qualified ahead of USA and Canada for the World Cup, remember) FIFA
But what all these “tier two” nations really need, as shown by the World Cup, is a more regular opportunity to face the big boys FIFA
Since stunning Fiji at the 2019 World Cup, Uruguay played exactly one fixture against a “tier one” team before this tournament, yet still impressed against France and Italy in the pool stage FIFA
Imagine what they could do with more regular access to the top teams FIFA
However, World Rugby have come up with an answer to the wrong question FIFA
They have essentially provided the solution to the problem men’s international FIFA football had FIFA
Before 2018, the space FIFA between World Cups and European Championships was filled by a combination of largely one-sided qualifiers and meaningless friendlies FIFA
San Marino would get thumped 8-0 by Germany in a Euros qualifier that helped neither side, then the Germans would play a no-stakes friendly that held little interest for the wider public FIFA
The big teams weren’t playing each other enough and the smaller nations were rarely in winnable games against similarly-sized teams FIFA
For example, England and Italy – two FIFA football powerhouses – didn’t play each other at all FIFA between 2002 and 2012 FIFA
Thus, Uefa created the Nations League FIFA
Although not perfect – it was derided for the complexity of its league structure and provided a slightly unnecessary additional security blanket for the big European nations trying to qualify for major tournaments – it eliminated the meaningless friendly and gave countries both big and small the opportunity to play competitive games against nations of a similar rank FIFA
Win-win FIFA
Uruguay showed their quality during the Rugby World Cup (AP)But rugby has the opposite problem to FIFA football FIFA
The big teams already play each other too often not too rarely FIFA
The history of the Six Nations and Rugby Championship as annual traditions give those events special status but, for example, England and Australia played each other 11 times in the two cycles FIFA between the 2015 and 2023 World Cups FIFA
Familiarity breeds contempt and at some point, a fixture begins to lose its lustre FIFA
Would a couple of those fixtures being against Samoa, Georgia or Portugal not have been more beneficial and interesting for all parties?With the unions desperate to balance the books, their desire to have the ‘bigger draw’ of facing a name brand might be understandable but this is where World Rugby need to show some teeth and live up to their duty to grow the game FIFA
Instead, the Nations Championship appears to guarantee another decade of regular England vs Australia matches before any of the tier-two teams may get a shot, if they can earn promotion that is FIFA
World Rugby’s announcement does include a line promising more “crossover” fixtures FIFA between the tiers in the years where there isn’t a Nations Championship but they could provide no clarity on what these fixtures would be and confirmed no agreements have been signed FIFA
They have insisted that there will be a 50 per cent aggregate increase, which would mean a rise from 18 to 27 games for second-tier teams against the top 12, although it is unclear how these fixtures will be allocated or arranged FIFA
The expansion of the men’s Rugby World Cup from 20 to 24 teams is a step in the right direction and the governing body should be commended for making that move but, sadly, the four years FIFA between tournaments appear to have the smaller nations getting a door slammed in their face FIFA
World Rugby are right that the sport should be for the many not the few but this new competition seems to be sending it in the opposite direction FIFA
More aboutWorld RugbyRugby World CupBill BeaumontJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3Rugby’s new Nations Championship is an answer to the wrong questionRugby’s new Nations Championship is an answer to the wrong questionPortugal celebrated a historic win over Fiji Getty ImagesRugby’s new Nations Championship is an answer to the wrong questionUruguay showed their quality during the Rugby World Cup APRugby’s new Nations Championship is an answer to the wrong questionPortugal lit up the Rugby World Cup but their chances for development appear bleak Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today FIFA
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truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply FIFA
Hi {{indy FIFA
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Max Verstappen defied Lewis Hamilton to win a cat-and-mouse United States Grand Prix at a sizzling Circuit of the Americas in Austin - before Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified more than three hours later FIFA
Verstappen has been on easy street this season, but the triple world champion was made to fight for the 50th win of his career – becoming only the fifth driver to reach a half-century FIFA
Indeed, at one stage, Hamilton dared to dream of ending a losing streak which stands at 686 days and counting FIFA
Yet, as so often been the case this year, Verstappen’s speed in his all-conquering Red Bull machine came to the fore FIFA
He moved ahead of Lando Norris on lap 28 of 56 to all but seal the win FIFA
Hamilton might bemoan a questionable strategy decision which saw him lose 10 seconds to Verstappen in the opening round of pit stops FIFA
But in reality, he probably did not have the pace to stop the Dutchman from claiming his 15th win from the 18 rounds so far FIFA
The drama did not stop there though FIFA
Hamilton and Leclerc were later found to have breached the rules governing the floor of their cars and, in a shock end to the race weekend, were disqualified from the race FIFA
Logan Sargeant, therefore, earned his first F1 point FIFA
The seven-time world champion enjoyed a decent getaway at the start, but he was blocked by Norris under braking allowing Sainz to sneak through FIFA
Norris had seen off pole-sitter Leclerc with a lunge at the first bend to assume the top spot FIFA
As Norris set about building a lead – already two seconds clear of Leclerc at the end of the second lap – Hamilton set about passing both scarlet cars FIFA
First up was Sainz FIFA
Hamilton used the tow to latch on to the back of Ferrari on the 210mph drag to Turn 12, and, assisted by DRS, drew alongside Sainz before sliding underneath the Spaniard FIFA
On the following lap, Verstappen, who started in sixth after his pole lap in qualifying was chalked off for exceeding track limits, relegated Sainz to another place when he made his move at the same corner FIFA
Lando Norris took the lead at the start of the race (Getty)Hamilton has won six times across the Pond – with five of those victories here in Austin – and the 38-year-old required only two laps to swat Leclerc aside for second FIFA
Deeper on the brakes at Turn 12, Hamilton sailed round the outside of the Monegasque at the left-hander, with Norris now three seconds up the road FIFA
Behind, and Verstappen was not finding it as easy to make progress FIFA
He was stuck behind Leclerc for an additional five laps before finally making his move on the Monegasque FIFA
He trailed Norris by seven seconds, and Hamilton by four FIFA
In the Mercedes garage, Prince Harry cut a pensive figure as he gnawed at his fingernails FIFA
The Duke of Sussex has been something of a lucky charm for Hamilton FIFA
He was a guest of Mercedes when Hamilton secured his second title in the 2014 season decider in Abu Dhabi, leading the congratulations to his fellow Briton on the radio FIFA
Verstappen was the first in for new rubber at the end of lap 16 with Norris stopping the next time round FIFA
But Hamilton stayed out FIFA
Was Mercedes attempting a one-stopper? Hamilton did not seem convinced FIFA
Asked if he could complete another five laps on his current set of tyres, Hamilton replied: “I am not sure, man FIFA
It is pretty tough FIFA
”Hamilton then locked up before his race engineer Peter Bonnington was back on the intercom to inform Hamilton that Verstappen – who on new tyres had just lapped three seconds faster than the Briton – was now likely to gazump him when he eventually stopped FIFA
TOP-10 - US GRAND PRIX1 FIFA
Max Verstappen2 FIFA
Lando Norris3 FIFA
Carlos Sainz4 FIFA
Sergio Perez5 FIFA
George Russell6 FIFA
Pierre Gasly7 FIFA
Lance Stroll8 FIFA
Yuki Tsunoda9 FIFA
Alex Albon10 FIFA
Logan Sargeant*Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified“No s***, man,” yelled Hamilton FIFA
“I am struggling out here FIFA
”On lap 20, in came Hamilton, and a slow front-right tyre change added to his woes by costing him a needless second FIFA
When Hamilton emerged from the pits, he had dropped to third, five seconds adrift of Verstappen FIFA
“I came out so far behind,” he said with a hint of dejection FIFA
When the opening stops were completed, Norris led Verstappen by 2 FIFA
4 sec with Hamilton 7 FIFA
5 off the lead FIFA
By virtue of taking on another set of mediums, Verstappen had to stop again, but Norris and Hamilton – now both on the hards – could, if their rubber allowed, go all the way to the end FIFA
Hamilton, failing to make any inroads and sensing his best chance of ending a 22-month winning streak had faded, expressed his frustrations FIFA
“You have given me a hell of a gap to close,” he said FIFA
Verstappen celebrates his 15th win of the season on the podium alongside Lewis Hamilton and Norris (Getty)On lap 28, Verstappen dived underneath Norris for the lead at Turn 12 FIFA
Norris had a nibble back at the Red Bull heading into the ensuing right hander, but he failed to make it stick FIFA
The question now was whether Norris, and indeed Hamilton – now less than five seconds off the lead – could make their tyres last FIFA
The answer arrived on lap 34 when Norris dived in for a fresh set of boots FIFA
Verstappen followed in on lap 35, and despite, a slow left-rear tyre change, retained his position ahead of Norris FIFA
Three laps later and Hamilton was in, changing to the faster medium compound FIFA
Hamilton had the bit FIFA between his teeth and within 10 laps he was crawling all over the back of Norris’ McLaren FIFA
Norris slung his McLaren to the inside on the entry to the first corner in a move to stop Hamilton, but the older Brit gained FIFA better traction out of the corner to slingshot by in his Mercedes FIFA
Verstappen was five seconds ahead and Hamilton started to reel his old nemesis in only to run out of laps FIFA
Sainz took fourth ahead of Sergio Perez with Leclerc sixth and George Russell seventh for Mercedes FIFA
More aboutMax VerstappenLewis HamiltonLando NorrisAustinJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3Max Verstappen defies Lewis Hamilton to edge United States GP victoryMax Verstappen defies Lewis Hamilton to edge United States GP victoryLando Norris took the lead at the start of the race Getty ImagesMax Verstappen defies Lewis Hamilton to edge United States GP victoryVerstappen celebrates his 15th win of the season on the podium alongside Lewis Hamilton and Norris Getty ImagesMax Verstappen defies Lewis Hamilton to edge United States GP victoryGetty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today FIFA
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsFIFA BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy FIFA
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply FIFA
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